Her Story
About Dr. Lauren
Dr. Lauren Birney is a Distinguished Professor of STEM Education at Pace University and Executive Director of The STEM Collaboratory NYC®. A nationally recognized educator, researcher, and leader in STEM education, she has dedicated her career to advancing innovative teaching practices, environmental science education, and equitable access to learning opportunities. With more than three decades of experience spanning K–12 and higher education, Dr. Birney prepares future educators through graduate teacher preparation programs while fostering meaningful connections between science, technology, and community engagement.
Prior to joining Pace University, Dr. Birney spent 18 years as a biology teacher and science internship coordinator in the San Diego Unified School District, where she developed programs that connected students with real-world STEM experiences. She earned an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California and holds multiple California credentials and certifications in science education, counseling, administration, and language development. Throughout her career, she has championed experiential, project-based learning, drawing inspiration from her studies at Oxford and her belief that education should be engaging, accessible, and transformative for all learners.
As Director of The STEM Collaboratory NYC®, Dr. Birney leads innovative initiatives that integrate technology, environmental restoration, and community-based learning. She serves as Principal Investigator of the NSF-funded Curriculum + Community Enterprise for Restoration Science (CCERS) project, which engages teachers and students in hands-on environmental science and restoration efforts throughout New York Harbor. A recipient of Pace University's Distinguished Professor designation, Dr. Birney is also an Executive Board Member of Earth Codes Observatory and a former Chair of the Advisory Board for the Biomimicry Institute. Known for her commitment to mentorship, collaboration, and educational equity, she continues to inspire the next generation of educators, scientists, and community leaders.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Dr. Lauren
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the mentorship, recommendations, and support I have received throughout my career, especially from my family and my father. I have built opportunities through persistent networking, following through on commitments, working hard, staying resilient, and learning from rejection, which has helped me grow both personally and professionally.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to forge my own career path by actively meeting people, building meaningful professional relationships, and maintaining a strong network. I believe it is important to take responsibility for creating opportunities rather than waiting for them to come to me.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to proactively create and nurture their professional networks. Be the person who reaches out, follows through, and leaves a positive impression. At the same time, stay authentic and original while demonstrating compassion, kindness, and thoughtfulness in your interactions with others.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in my field is the strong demand for educators, particularly with the ongoing teacher shortage that creates many pathways for career growth and entry into the profession. At the same time, a major challenge is teacher burnout and retention, as many educators leave the profession early. Additionally, women often face greater obstacles in reaching leadership positions and benefit greatly from strong communities of support.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are compassion, kindness, honesty, follow-through, meaningful connections, advocacy, and maintaining a healthy balance between professional responsibilities and personal well-being.
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