What inspires me
I鈥檓 inspired by ideas, especially ideas that are different than my own. I鈥檓 inspired by questions, in particular questions that challenge assumptions and turn a situation on its head. I鈥檓 inspired by compassion, both individual acts of kindness and community-based work. I鈥檓 inspired by potential, the idea of what something could be and the contribution I can make to change. (And of course, my daily muse can be found in a well-made cappuccino.)
Background
I come to museums through the lens of learning and education. When I started volunteering at my campus art museum as an undergraduate Art History student, I realized almost immediately that what I cared about more than the art itself was people鈥檚 interactions with the art. I have a master鈥檚 degree in Museum Studies from the University of Toronto, and a PhD in Educational Psychology from the University of Maryland College Park.
Before coming to the UW, I spent 15 years at the Institute for Learning Innovation, conducting evaluation and research with museums across the country to help them better understand their visitors, how and what they learn, and what that means for developing meaningful museum experiences.
Specializations
My areas of specialization include research and evaluation; art museum education, critical and creative thinking; and youth development, family learning, and parent involvement.
Publications
Hoke, K., Storksdieck, M., Riedinger, K., Rehkamp, J., & Luke, J. J. (in prep). Interplay: A framework of play-based STEM engagement at exhibits for young children.听Curator: The Museum Journal.听
Luke, J.J., Chesnut, K.L., Gingery, A., Guan, Y., Miao, S., Shields, E., Terry, L., Velandia-Pirazan, Bramblett, A., Fontana, J., Fry, M., Johnson, M., Krause, E., Krieger, L., Lam, W., Lees, M., Salgado Smith, M., Yorioka, P., & Zamudio, M. (in press). Does a self-directed visit to an art museum impact people’s well-being? Our answer is yes, and no. Curator: The Museum Journal.
Luke, J.J., Warmer, S., Rivera, N., Nelson, K., Windleharth, T., Tung, A., & Cheng, K. (2025). The effects of exhibit design on preschoolers鈥� peer relationship skills in children鈥檚 museums.听,听50(2), 166-175.
Luke, J.J., Porter, J., & Katayama, E. (2025). Toward a shared vision: New approaches to art museum interpretation.听, 1-14.听.听
Luke, J.J., & Foley, C.听(2025).听Impacts of awe and wonder on adults’ critical听thinking during an art museum visit.听,听66(1), 94-111.
Luke, J.J., Rivera, N., & Brenkert, S. (2022). Preschoolers鈥� social emotional learning in children鈥檚 museums and community playgrounds.听, 20(2), 229-241.
Dahya, N., Roldan, W., Lee, J.H., Yip, J., Luke, J.J., Joya, A., Patino-Liu, D.M., & Summerlin, E. (2022). Virtual reality and youth incarceration: Methodological reflections from a media education and research program.听,听47(4), 745-760.
Ter-Kazarian, K., & Luke, J.J. (2021). Influence of an art museum visit on individuals’ psychological and physiological indicators of stress.听,听14(1-2), 45-59.
Luke, J.J. (2021). 鈥淭he bloody hell and holy cow moment:鈥� Feeling awe in the art museum.听,听64(2), 41-55.
Luke, J.J., Rivera, N., Colbert, L., & Scharon, C. (2021). The problem of play in children鈥檚 museums.听听10(1), 63-74.