Pioneer in Learning Engineering and Digital Manufacturing Education
Associated with :
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyDr. John Liu is a distinguished educator and researcher at MIT, where he leads the Learning Engineering and Practice (LEAP) Group as Principal Investigator. After earning his B.S. in Applied Physics from Caltech and both S.M. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from MIT, he has established himself as an innovator in engineering education and digital learning. His work spans multiple disciplines, including mixed reality, haptic experiences, and workforce development solutions, particularly focusing on addressing the manufacturing skills gap. As former Director of the Principles of Manufacturing MicroMasters program, he has helped transform manufacturing education through digital technology, reaching over 200,000 learners globally. His research interests encompass educational technology, MOOC development, and curriculum design, with particular emphasis on open-ended assessments for scalable education settings. His excellence in education has been recognized through awards including Best Paper at the American Society Engineering Education in 2020. Currently, he leads education and workforce development efforts for MIT's Manufacturing@MIT initiative while continuing to innovate in digital learning approaches.