Jeremy Riel, PhD

I do research and development on educational technologies for teaching and learning, particularly with artificial intelligence and simulation-based systems. My primary research goal is to responsibly consider, design, and use educational AI and simulation-based systems to maximize their positive impact on learning, teaching, and society. I investigate the following topics across my projects:

1. Computational knowledge modeling (i.e., computer-usable representations of human knowledge, skills, and behavior) for using AI- and simulation-based systems for teaching and learning
2. AI literacy and computational thinking education, particularly for teachers and professionals
3. Strategies and policy for responsible, explainable, accessible, and human-relatable AI systems

I am Director of the Teaching and Research with AI Learning (TRAILblazer) Lab at UIC where my team is engaged in several projects related to educational artificial intelligence system design and computing/AI education. We engage in real-world design projects with stakeholder partners in education and industry to envision and develop AI- and technology-based educational products with impact. My projects have been sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences, the National Science Foundation and Google.

I currently serve as co-lead of the Science and Technology Working Group at the Institute of Government and Public Affairs. I also coordinate the instructional design and training minor at the UIC College of Education.

I am the host of the Future Tech & Policy (FTP) Podcast, a bi-weekly show featuring an interdisciplinary panel that discusses tech trends with an eye for policy and impact on society.

Topics of Research

• Computational knowledge representation
• Human-AI interaction
• Neuro-symbolic AI
• Interactive AI agents for teaching and learning
• AI literacy and computational thinking education/professional development
• Simulations and narrative/scenario-based learning
• AI and emerging tech risk awareness and evaluation
• Technology ethics
• AI/technology policy, guidance, and readiness
• Digital accessibility

Lab

I am the director of the Teaching and Research with AI Learning (TRAILblazer) lab: www.trailblazerlab.org

Future Tech & Policy (FTP) Podcast

I am the host of the Future Tech & Policy (FTP) Podcast, a show exploring emerging technologies and their impact on policy and society. Our discussion panel of faculty experts offers their takes on tech issues, news, and trends with an eye for the future and policy direction for Illinois and beyond.

Find the show at your favorite streaming service:

• YouTube
• Apple
• Spotify

A production of the Science and Technology Working Group at the Institute of Government and Public Affairs.

Prospective Students

• I am regularly seeking undergraduate and graduate interns and research assistants to join the lab who are interested in educational technology development, AI, games and simulations, or technology policy. More information for undergraduates can be found at the Undergraduate Research Experience page. Undergraduate students are eligible for the Chancellor's Undergraduate Research Award, and credit can be earned for research work.
• Interested doctoral students should email me directly to discuss the TRAILblazer lab, my research, and your goals.

Courses Taught

I teach courses in the Instructional Design and Training (IDT) Minor (https://go.uic.edu/idt) and the Human Development and Learning BA programs in the Educational Psychology Department.

- EPSY 380 - Instructional Design and Training
- EPSY 430 - Interactive Online Instruction: Design and Development
- EPSY 440 - Engaging Multimedia Learning: Design and Development
- EPSY 450 - Assessment and Evaluation of Learning Outcomes and Educational Products

Office Hours

By appointment. Schedule a meeting with me: https://go.uic.edu/RielSchedule

Affiliations

• Affiliate Faculty, Institute of Government and Public Affairs
• Faculty Fellow, UIC Honors College

Chin, A., Varshney, L., Singh, G., Riel, J., Avadhanam, R., & Sachdev, V. (2025, June). A conceptual framework for guiding the workforce on using responsible AI. Paper presented at IEEE ETHICS-2025, Evanston, IL.

Riel, J. (2025, March). Revisiting academic integrity in the age of generative AI to inform principled learning design. Paper presented at the 2025 Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, March.

Riel, J., & Chen, Y. (2024, September). Exploring state-level guidance on using AI for teaching and learning: Where we are and where we need to go. Paper presented at SITE Interactive 2024 (Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education), Online/virtual.

Banzer, D., Riel, J., & Sheridan, K. (2024). Accelerating early childhood science through a scalable online teacher professional development program: A design case of Early Science Matters. International Journal of Designs for Learning. 15(3). 126-138. https://doi.org/10.14434/ijdl.v15i3.36624.

Riel, J., & Monahan, R. (2024). Learning from ludemes: An inventory of common player actions within tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) to inform principled design of game-based learning experiences. International Journal of Role-Playing, 15, 178-210. https://doi.org/10.33063/ijrp.vi15.325.

Riel, J., Lawless, K. A., & Oren, J. (2022). Comparisons of synchronous and asynchronous discussions in an online roleplaying simulation to teach middle school written argumentation skills. Online Learning Journal, 26(4), 1-26. http://dx.doi.org/10.24059/olj.v26i4.3468.

Riel, J., & Lawless, K. A. (2021). Enhancing student affect from multi-classroom simulation games via teacher professional development: Supporting game implementation with the ROPD model. International Journal of Gaming and Computer-Mediated Simulations. 13(1), 34-54. http://doi.org/10.4018/IJGCMS.20210101.oa3.

Riel, J. (2021). Essential features and critical issues with educational chatbots: Toward personalized learning via digital agents. In M. Khosrow-Pour (Ed.), Handbook of Research on Modern Educational Technologies, Applications, and Management. 246-262. IGI Global. http://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-3476-2.ch015.

Riel, J., Lawless, K. A., & Brown, S. W. (2018). Timing matters: Approaches for measuring and visualizing behaviours of timing and spacing of work in self-paced online teacher professional development courses. Journal of Learning Analytics. 5(1), 25-40. https://doi.org/10.18608/jla.2018.51.3

Ph.D. 2020 - University of Illinois Chicago
M.A. 2012 - Georgetown University
B.A. 2007 - University of Oregon
A.A. 2005 - Lane Community College

American Educational Research Association (AERA)

Society for Technology and Teacher Education (SITE)

ACM: SIGAI, SIGCAS, SIGCSE, SIGITE, SIGSIM, SIGCHI

IEEE (Senior Member): Computer Society, Computational Intelligence Society, Education Society, Society on Social Implications of Technology

Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI)

International Artificial Intelligence in Education Society (IAIED)

• SkillTree: Scalable Personalized Learning with LLM-Linked Custom Knowledge Graphs
• Policy for Responsible AI Research, Innovation, and Education (PRAIRIE): Empowering Illinois’ Educational Institutions and Incumbent Workforce in the Age of Generative AI
• Qualitative AI Labeling Support (QUAILS): An LLM-Supported Qualitative Thematic Analysis Procedure for Transparency and Safety in Educational Sciences Research
• Educator AI and Computing Fundamentals Training for All Disciplines: AI and Computational Thinking Teacher Professional Development across all subjects and grade levels
• Digital Accessibility Coach (DA Coach): An AI Agent for Supporting Faculty Integration of Digital Accessibility Standards in Course Materials
• Envisioning Microcredentials in the Age of AI: Toward Competency-based Achievements for Educators