Dr. Janet Shufor Bih Epse Fofang

Dr. Janet Shufor Bih Epse Fofang

Postdoctoral Associate | Learning Sciences Researcher | Educator

Specializing in Computational Thinking, Educational Technology, Human-Centered AI, and Learning Analytics. Dedicated to advancing STEM education and empowering learners through innovative research and practice.

About Me

I am a Learning Sciences researcher and educator with a passion for advancing computational thinking, educational technology, and human-centered AI in learning environments.

Currently serving as a Postdoctoral Associate at the Learning Research and Development Center (LRDC) at the University of Pittsburgh, I work at the intersection of learning sciences, human-centered AI, learning analytics, and cognitive engagement. My research focuses on understanding how young learners interact with computational thinking concepts, particularly through physical devices and embodied learning experiences.

I hold a Doctor of Philosophy in Education from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a specialization in Technology Learning and Leadership. My dissertation explored how young learners interact with physical devices to ground their understanding of computational thinking in early grade classrooms.

Beyond academia, I am the founder of Tassah Academy, a leading provider of applied STEM education in Cameroon that has trained over 10,000 students. I am also a co-founder of NexGen Higher Institute of Technology and the non-profit Intelligent Futures, working to equip communities in the age of AI.

My work spans research, teaching, curriculum design, and advocacy, with a particular focus on increasing diversity and inclusion in STEM fields, especially for women and girls in Africa.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Education

The University of Maryland, College Park, MD

2024

Department: Teaching Learning, Policy, and Leadership
Specialization: Technology Learning and Leadership
Advisor: Dr. David Weintrop
Thesis: Computational Thinking in Early Grade Classrooms: How Young Learners Interact with Physical Devices to Ground Their Understanding of Computational Thinking

Master of Education in Electrical Engineering

University of Douala, Cameroon

2005

Bachelor of Education in Electrical Engineering

University of Douala, Cameroon

1998

Research Experience

Postdoctoral Associate

January 2025 - Present

Learning Research and Development Center (LRDC), University of Pittsburgh

For Drs. Erin Walker, Sera Linardi, and Angela Stewart

  • Learning Sciences, Human-Centered AI, Learning Analytics, and Cognitive Engagement
  • Designed and led research and evaluation efforts across two funded projects, coordinating multidisciplinary teams
  • Led learning sciences and data collection activities for NSF-funded Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) project investigating co-creative robotics
  • Designed and evaluated training and simulation protocols supporting learner-technology co-creation
  • Developing cognitive engagement assessment framework grounded in learning sciences theory
  • Conducted multimodal learning analytics data analysis integrating qualitative coding with quantitative methods
  • Led LRDC-funded experiential learning and data literacy project combining qualitative methods instruction and community-based fieldwork
  • Designed and delivered role-based data literacy training module for undergraduate and graduate students
  • Served as guest instructor for PIA 700, teaching qualitative and interpretive methods for data analysis

Postdoctoral Associate

June - December 2024

Texas Tech University

For Dr. Yualin Zhang

  • Research on Knowledge Representation and Reasoning with the Knowledge Representation and Reasoning (KRR) lab
  • Used logic-based approach to design curricula integrating foundational concepts in mathematics, statistics, and computer science
  • Focused on teaching data science to middle and high school rural students

Research Assistant

August 2018 - 2024

The University of Maryland, College Park, MD

For Dr. David Weintrop

  • Research on how Sphero robots can support Computational Thinking for Early grade learners (Sphero.Math project)
  • Research on Including Neurodiversity in Foundational and Applied Computational Thinking (INFACT) Project
  • Research on Generative AI in INST 126 - Google & TLTC Project
  • Facilitated 3 computer science Computational Thinking professional development workshops with 80 DCPS elementary mathematics teachers

Research Scientist

January 2023 – December 2023

National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST)

With Kristen Greene

  • Research with the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL), Visualization and Usability Group
  • Investigated users' perceptions of AI

Research Assistant

Spring – Summer 2020

Science Everywhere Project

With Dr. Tamara Clegg

  • Worked on five-week summer program: The Summer Slide Prevention Program
  • Supported 42 elementary, middle, and high-school youth and 31 adults
  • Led three-hour STEM learning activities three times per week using Sphero robots
  • Focused on computational thinking, capillary action, and community rain garden project

Research Assistant

Spring 2020 - 2024

YXlab and Mathplay Lab

With Dr. Caro Williams Pierce

  • Research on Mathematical Play within Makerspaces

Research and Learning Scientist

Summer 2023 - Present

Advanced Genomics Research

  • Applied Human Centered AI and Digital Twins models
  • Develop interdisciplinary research collaborations to advance digital twin models
  • Human-centered, interpretable systems for personalized health and wellness learning
  • Designing learning and visualization journey maps for Advanced Genomics Research INC (DBA Anti Fragility Health Clinic)
  • Leading project integrating clinical biomarkers, interventions, and lifestyle data from wearable devices into AI-supported diagnostic tool

Co-Founder & Research Lead

2024 - Present

Intelligent Futures (Non-profit)

  • Co-founded non-profit to equip communities in the age of AI
  • Developing AI-enabled analytics tools to model teacher learning trajectories from instructional video data
  • Integrate learning sciences theory, multimodal analytics, and AI for scalable frameworks

Research Lead

2023 - Present

ASD-Accept with IPS LLC

  • Research on building prototype web and mobile application
  • Design chatbots and interactive digital representations to promote inclusivity and acceptance of individuals on the autism spectrum from indigenous populations

Research Support

2017 - 2018

Technovation Families

  • Supported families across 13 countries to design hands-on Artificial Intelligence solutions
  • Helped solve real-world problems using AI

Scholarly Publications

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Weintrop, D., Walkoe, J., Walton, M., Bih, J., Moon, P., Elby, A., Bennett, B., & Kantzer, M. (2022).

Sphero.Math. Computational Thinking in PreK-5

39–46. https://doi.org/10.1145/3507951.3519286

Peer-Reviewed Conference Proceedings

Fofang, J. B., & Weintrop, D. (2025).

Leveraging Symbolic Representations to Understand Young Learners' Interactions with Computational Thinking Concepts.

In Proceedings of the 19th International Conference of the Learning Sciences-ICLS 2025, pp. 467-475. International Society of the Learning Sciences.

Fofang, J. B. (2025).

Using Embodiment to Reason About Geometry in an Integrated Computational Thinking and Mathematics Activity.

583–591.

Monteith, Barnas G, Liu, Zifeng, Chao, Jie, Wiedemann, Kenia, Fofang, Janet_B, Li, Linlin, Ma, Dexiu, Mohamed, Rabab, Mondol, Anupom, Jo, Yelee, Fleetwood, April, Lipien, Lodi, Zhang, Yuanlin, & Xing, Wanli.

Analyzing High School Students' Engagement in Online Data Science Learning through Entropy Analysis.

Retrieved from https://par.nsf.gov/biblio/10587321

Mohamed, Rabab, Mondol, Anupom, Ma, Dexiu, Chao, Jie, Wiedemann, Kenia, Fofang, Janet_Bih, Monteith, Barnas, Xing, Wanli, Li, Linlin, Jo, Yelee, Fleetwood, April, Lipien, Lodi, & Zhang, Yuanlin.

How students learn functions in an integrated introductory data science module.

Retrieved from https://par.nsf.gov/biblio/10598213

Jensen, T., Theofanos, M., Greene, K., Williams, O., Goad, K., & Bih Fofang, J. (2024).

Reflection of its Creators: Qualitative Analysis of General Public and Expert Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence.

Aies, 647–658.

Fofang, J. B., Weintrop, D., Moon, P., & Elby, A. (2021).

Thinking through Representation: Interpreting Representational Fluency across Contexts in Computational Thinking Enhanced Activities.

ICLS 2021 Proceedings, 979–980.

Coenraad, M., Fofang, B. J., & Weintrop, D. (2021).

Gusanos y Espheros: Computing with Youth in Rural El Salvador.

SIGCSE 2021 - Proceedings of the 52nd ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, 404–410. https://doi.org/10.1145/3408877.3432535

Fofang, J., Weintrop, D., Walton, M., Elby, A., & Walkoe, J. (2020).

Mutually supportive mathematics and computational thinking in a fourth-grade classroom.

Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning Conference, CSCL, 3(2006), 1389–1396.

Shokeen, E., Katirci, N., Bih Fofang, J., Simpson, A., & Williams-Pierce, C. (2020).

Unpacking mathematical play within maker spaces using embodied cognition.

CHI PLAY 2020 - Extended Abstracts of the 2020 Annual Symposium on Computer-Human Interaction in Play, 365–369. https://doi.org/10.1145/3383668.3419909

Fofang, J., Pauw, D., Clegg, T., & Weintrop, D. (2020).

Building for Robots: An Alternative Approach of Combining Construction and Robotics.

Proceedings of Constructionism 2020 Conference, 177–187.

Walton, M., Walkoe, J., Elby, A., Fofang, J., & Weintrop, D. (2020).

Teachers' conceptualizations of computational and mathematical thinking.

Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning Conference, CSCL, 4, 2053–2060.

Fofang, J. B., Weintrop, D., Moon, P., & Williams-pierce, C. (2019).

Computational Bodies: Grounding Computational Thinking Practices in Embodied Gesture.

171–178.

Chklovski, T., Jung, R., Fofang, J. B., & Gonzales, P. (2019).

Implementing a 15-week AI education program with under-resourced families across 13 global communities.

International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence. https://www.curiositymachine.org/aichallenge

Hamouda, S., Tshukudu, E., Marshall, L., Aruleba, K., Kombe, C., Bih Fofang, J. S., Bada, J. K., Ekwam, E. O., Timm, N., & Mengistu, T. (2025).

Expanding Contextualized Computer Science Education in Africa: A Collaborative Initiative.

In Proceedings of the ACM Global on Computing Education Conference 2025 Vol 2 (CompEd 2025), pp. 376–378. Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.1145/3736251.3749528

Manuscripts Under Review

Janet Bih Fofang, David Weintrop, Gautam Aakash

From Computational Thinking to AI Literacy: Representations in Robotics-Mediated Mathematics Classrooms.

Sharma Paras, Yueping Sha, Janet Bih Fofang, Yan Brayden, Hubert Asare, Jess Turner, Angela Stewart, Erin Walker

Hybrid LLM-Embedded Dialogue Agents for Learner Reflection: Designing Responsive and Theory-Driven Interactions. (CHI 2026)

Manuscripts in Preparation

Janet Bih Fofang, Sera Linardi (2026)

Student-Led Participatory Design.

Janet Bih Fofang, Paras Sharma, Yueping Sha, Angela Stewart, Erin Walker (2026)

Cognitive Engagement in Multimodal Co-Creative Activities: From Qualitative to Quantitative Assessment in open-ended learning.

Janet Bih Fofang, Sharma Paras (2026)

Theoretical Understanding of AI's Role in Education: A Systematic Review

Janet Bih Fofang, Sharma Paras, Angela Stewart, Erin Walker (2026)

Toward a Dialogic Future for Child-AI Interaction.

Career Experience

Founder & Director

2009 - Present

Tassah Academy

  • Founded leading provider of applied STEM education in Cameroon
  • Trained over 10,000 students using educational technology activities
  • Prepare K-12 students with appropriate skills for 21st-century jobs

Co-Founder

2015 - 2024

NexGen Higher Institute of Technology

  • Co-founded inclusive technology higher institute located in Yaoundé, Cameroon
  • Partners with Developer's Institute in Israel for accelerated, intensive training
  • Designs boot camps for Full-stack JavaScript, Python, and Data Analysts courses
  • Delivers programming skills through intensive coding boot camps and mentoring

Consultant

2016 - 2017

African Institute for Mathematical Science

  • Designed curriculum for digital training programs for in-service mathematics teacher professional development
  • Developed teaching curriculum and methods to improve quality of teaching and learning Mathematics in Cameroon
  • Designed activities and programs to increase pipeline of women and girls in STEM
  • Created STEM challenge for middle school girls called "STEM Your School" sponsored by US Embassy Cameroon
  • Designed activities integrating hands-on practical teaching using Tinker CAD, 3D printers, and programmable robots

Academic Programs Coordinator

2012 - 2015

John Paul II University, Cameroon

  • Point of contact for academic programs
  • Promoted teaching excellence and development of innovative curricula
  • Developed learning management systems
  • Provided academic mentorship for junior faculty and staff
  • Managed course evaluations and assisted with fellowship and grant opportunities
  • Opened new partnerships with foreign universities

Head of Department

2000 - 2009

CETIC de Ngoa Ekelle

  • Head of Department: Electronics and Automotive Electronics
  • Taught electronics and mechatronics courses to vocational students
  • Advocated for teachers to use more technology in classrooms
  • Won grants with Embassy of Israel in Cameroon to design maker spaces and innovation labs in 4 Schools

Intern

2013

Symantec Corporation

  • Worked on US Department of State-sponsored project
  • Designed and developed educational software
  • Designed learning platforms powered by Raspberry Pie to support STEM curricula for under-resourced communities

Teaching Experience

Guest Lecturer

2025

University of Pittsburgh

  • Applied Data Analysis for Public Policy (PIA 700)

Professional Development Facilitator

2018, 2019, 2021

District of Columbia Public Schools - CornerStones

  • Mathematics Teacher Professional Development for Computational Thinking
  • Facilitated 3 computer science Computational Thinking professional development workshops with 80 DCPS elementary mathematics teachers

Instructor

2013 - 2016

John Paul II University, Cameroon

  • EN102 - Automation and Control
  • EE304 - Automatic Systems and Simulations
  • EN403 - Electronic Systems and Simulations
  • MEL41 - Electrotechnical Systems and Automated Systems
  • MEL42 - Switched Mode Power Supply and Computer-Assisted Design

Instructor

2000 - 2009

CETIC de Ngoa-Ekelle & Lycee Technique de Charles Atangana

  • MEL21: Electrotechnical Systems: Maintenance of electronics systems, Industrial Electronics, Electrotechnical systems, Microprocessors and Advanced troubleshooting - capstone projects
  • MSB41 - Mathematics for Computer Science: Applied Mathematics I & II
  • EE103 - Integrated circuits
  • EE101 - Circuit Theory
  • EM 204 - Electromagnetics I and II
  • EE 206 - Electronic Switching Network
  • EE 101- Algebra
  • EE 201- Applied Mathematics
  • Introduction to Programming with C

Awards & Recognitions

2024

Honored on Gallery Walls

French Cultural Center in Cameroon

Outstanding contributions and dedication to promoting STEM, Computational Thinking, and Artificial Intelligence education for women and girls.

2019

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Bridge International Academies

Celebrated as one of Sub-Saharan Africa's female scientists.

2016

A. Richard Newton Educator ABIE Award Winner

AnitaB.org

For developing innovative teaching practices and approaches that attract women and girls to Computing, Engineering, and Mathematics.

2016

Top 100 Women Visionary Leaders

Innov8tiv

Nominated as one of the top 100 women visionary leaders to watch.

2015

Africa's Leading Women in Tech

IT News Africa

Nominated as one of Africa's leading women in Tech.

Skills & Expertise

Programming Languages

Working knowledge in:

Python JavaScript HTML5 CSS MySQL R PHP Node.js JAVA Wolfram Language Google Colab

Research & Methodology

Qualitative Research Interaction Analysis Case Study Methods Multimodal Learning Analytics Machine Learning (Weka) Data Analysis

Educational Technology

Learning Management Systems Canvas LMS Google Classroom Computational Thinking Robotics Education 3D Printing Educational Software Design

Professional Skills

Curriculum Development Research Design Mentoring Grant Writing Project Management Hardware Maintenance

Software & Tools

Office 365 Google Apps TinkerCAD Raspberry Pi Sphero Robots

Languages

English (Fluent) French (Fluent) African Dialects

Certifications

Certificate in Data Analytics from Developer's Institute
Certificate of completion in JavaScript and Python from Developer's Institute
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence; IBM and Coursera
Machine Learning; IBM and Coursera
Deep Learning Specialization

Grants & Projects

"Mentors Beyond Borders"

$10,000 USD

US Embassy Cameroon - Mission Driven Alumni Outreach Proposal

"Bridge the Tech Gap"

$25,000 USD

Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF)

"3D Printing for Teachers"

$10,000 USD

Embassy of Israel in Cameroon - 3D printing project for female teachers

"STEM Your School"

$20,000 USD

IIE/WeTech

"Girls STEM Induction Program"

3 million XAF

British High Commission Cameroon

"AI Family Challenge"

$5,000 USD

Curiosity Machines / Iridescent

First Robotics Team Cameroon

$20,000 annually since 2017

First Global

Affiliations

Academic Affiliations

  • Member, Postdoc Career Development Committee, University of Pittsburgh
  • Facet Lab, University of Pittsburgh
  • Member, Human-Computer Interaction Lab, University of Maryland
  • Member, YXlab at the University of Maryland
  • Tech.math.play lab, University of Maryland
  • Association of Computing Machinery
  • American Educational Research Association
  • International Society of the Learning Sciences

Professional & Community Affiliations

  • Member, European Union-African Union Digital Economy Task Force
  • Member, Africa Europe Foundation Digital Economy Strategy group
  • Techwomen Alumni member since November 2013
  • Member, Cameroon Chapter of Girls in Tech
  • Program lead, AI Challenge Cameroon
  • Leadership council member, Women Enhancing Technology Africa (WeTech)
  • Board member, Working to Advance STEM Education for African Women (WAAW) Foundation
  • Mashav Economic Empowerment of Women, Israeli Agency for International Development Cooperation
  • Leadership member, Pan-African Women in Leadership Forum; Director of STEM Education
  • AFCHIX women in tech role models

Get in Touch

I'd love to hear from you. Whether you have a question, want to collaborate, or just want to connect, feel free to reach out.

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