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Joseph C. Nadeau

Professor of the Practice in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Box 90287, Dept of Civil Engineering, Durham, NC 27708-0287
173 Hudson Annex, Box 90287, Durham, NC 27708-0287

Overview


Joe Nadeau earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Lehigh University in 1989, and then continued his education and earned a S.M. in Civil Engineering in 1991 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He then matriculated to the University of California at Berkeley where he earned his Ph.D., in Civil and Environmental Engineering in 1996.

Dr. Nadeau’s primary research focus is in the areas of theoretical and applied mechanics, micromechanics, composite materials, and probabilistic methods.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor of the Practice in Civil and Environmental Engineering · 2016 - Present Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering
Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering · 2022 - Present Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering

Recent Publications


A grand challenge-based framework for contextual learning in engineering: Impact on student outcomes and motivation

Conference ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings · January 1, 2015 Exposure to meaningful, societally relevant applications can increase student motivation and improve learning outcomes. Here, we describe assessment results that evaluate a pedagogical framework based on the NAE Grand Challenges, in which specific engineer ... Cite

Evidence for the effectiveness of a grand challenge-based framework for contextual learning

Journal Article ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings · January 1, 2014 Student motivation - and associated educational outcomes - can be influenced by the degree to which course material connects to recognizable societal problems. The National Academy for Engineering has established the "Engineering Grand Challenges", a set o ... Cite

A grand challenge-based framework for contextual learning in engineering

Journal Article ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings · September 24, 2013 A key finding within the current engineering education literature is that exposure to real-world applications - especially when presented in an active, experiential learning environment - increases both student interest and pedagogical effectiveness. This ... Cite
View All Publications

Recent Grants


A Grand Challenge-based Framework for Contextual Learning in Engineering

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2012 - 2016

Preparations for the Hands-On Design Competitions of the 2010 ASCE Carolinas Conference Hosted by Duke

ConferencePrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Lord Foundation of North Carolina · 2009 - 2010

Experimental Laboratory for Mechanics and Structures

Institutional SupportPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Lord Foundation of North Carolina · 2007 - 2008

View All Grants

Education, Training & Certifications


University of California, Berkeley · 1996 Ph.D.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology · 1991 M.Sc.
Lehigh University · 1989 B.S.C.E.