You can check out his work at ORCID or Web of Science.
Publications – Educational Research
Peer Reviewed Articles
Merve N. Kursav, Ryan D. Sweeder, Sean A. Valles “Mechanisms of STEM retention: Lessons from Longitudinal Interview Data from High-risk Students”, Journal of STEM Education (2025). 26(3), 10-20. https://doi.org/10.63504/jstem.v26i3.2618
Nita A. Tarchinski*, Thomas M. Colclough, Ashley Atkinson, Emily Bonem, Nathan Emery, Victoria S. Farrar, Madeleine Gonin, Daniel Guberman, Eleanor Louson, Matthew Mahavongtrakul, Timothy A. McKay, Marco Molinaro, Meryl Motika, Lizette Muñoz Rojas, Hurshal Pol, Kem Saichaie, Kelsey Smart, Megan Stowe, Natasha T. Turman, Jenna Vest and Ryan D. Sweeder “Centering Student Perspectives and Equity Data in a Multi-Institutional Learning Community Program”, To Improve the Academy (2025), 44(2). https://doi.org/10.3998/tia.7082 Open Access
Deborah G. Herrington and Ryan D. Sweeder “Is this a helpful YouTube video? A research-based framework for evaluating and developing conceptual chemistry instructional videos”, Journal of Chemical Education (2025). https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.4c01085 Open Access.
Melanie M Cooper, Marcos D. Caballero, Justin H. Carmel, Erin M. Duffy, Diane Ebert-May, Cori L. Fata-Hartley, Deborah G. Herrington, James T. Laverty, Paul C. Nelson, Lynmarie A. Posey, Jon R. Stoltzfus, Ryan L. Stowe, Ryan D. Sweeder, Stuart Tessmer, Sonia M. Underwood “Beyond Active Learning: Using 3-Dimensional Learning to Create Scientifically Authentic, Student-Centered Classrooms”. Plos-One (2024). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0295887. Open Access
Sarah Castle, W. Carson Byrd, Benjamin P. Koester, Meaghan I. Pearson, Emily Bonem, Natalia Caporale, Sonja Cwik, Kameryn Denaro, Stefano Fiorini, Yangqiuting Li, Chris Mead, Heather Rypkema, Ryan D. Sweeder, Montserrat B. Valdivia Medinaceli, Kyle M. Whitcomb, Sara E. Brownell, Chantal Levesque-Bristol, Marco Molinaro, Chandralekha Singh, Timothy A. McKay, Becky Matz, “Systemic Advantage Has a Meaningful Relationship with Grade Outcomes in Students’ Early STEM Courses at Six Research Universities”, International Journal of STEM Education 11,14 (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s40594-024-00474-7. Open Access.
Deborah G. Herrington, Ryan D. Sweeder “Using Simulations and Screencasts in Online Preclass Activities to Support Student Building of Mental Models”, Education Sciences. 14, 2 (2024), 115; DOI: 10.3390/educsci14020115. Open Access. Part of the Special Issue: Engaged Student Learning and Inclusive Teaching Practices in Higher Education Chemistry.
Ryan D. Sweeder, Deborah G. Herrington, and Olivia M. Crandell, “Chemistry Education Research at a Crossroads: Where Do We Need to Go Now?” Journal of Chemical Education, 100(5), 1710–1715, (2023) DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c00091
Deborah G. Herrington, Shanna M. Hilborn, Elizabeth N. Sielaff, Ryan D. Sweeder, “ChemSims: Using simulations and screencasts to help students develop particle-level understanding of equilibrium in an online environment before and during COVID” Chemistry Education Research and Practice, (2022), DOI: 10.1039/D2RP00063F
Merve N. Kursav, Rabia Hos, Ryan D. Sweeder, Sean A. Valles “Mind the Gap: Understanding the Disconnect Between Student Services Offered and Used”, Change: The Magazine of Higher Education 54(3), 40-47, (2022). DOI: 10.1080/00091383.2022.2054187
Jessica R. VandenPlas, Deborah G. Herrington, Alex Shrode, Ryan D. Sweeder “Students’ Independent Use of Screencasts and Simulations to Construct Understanding of Atomic Interactions”, Journal of Chemical Education, (2021) DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.0c00470
Brianna L. Martinez, Ryan D. Sweeder, Jessica R. VandenPlas, Deborah G. Herrington “Improving conceptual understanding of gas behavior through the use of screencasts and simulations” International Journal of STEM Education, 8, 5 (2021). DOI:10.1186/s40594-020-00261-0
Ryan D. Sweeder, Merve N. Kursav, Sean A. Valles “A Cohort Scholarship Program that Reduces Inequities in STEM retention” Journal of STEM Education, 22,1 (2021).Available here. Open Access
Kinsey Bain, Lydia Bender, Paul Bergeron, Marcos D. Caballero, Justin H. Carmel, Erin M. Duffy, D. Ebert-May, Cori L. Fata-Hartley, Deborah G. Herrington, James T. Laverty, Rebecca, L. Matz, Paul C. Nelson, Lynmarie A. Posey, Jon R. Stoltzfus, Ryan L. Stowe, Ryan D. Sweeder, Stuart H. Tessmer, Sonia M. Underwood, Mark Urban-Lurain, Melanie M. Cooper (2020) Characterizing college science instruction: The Three-Dimensional Learning Observation Protocol. PLoS ONE 15(6): e0234640. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0234640 – Open Access
Ryan D. Sweeder, Deborah G. Herrington “Formative assessments using text messages to develop students’ ability to provide causal reasoning in general chemistry,” Canadian Journal of Chemistry, 2020, 98(1) 15-23). DOI: 10.1139/cjc-2019-0291 – Editor’s Choice – Open Acccess
Rachel A. Barnard, Ryan D. Sweeder “Using online grading to stagger midterm exam feedback and create space for meaningful student reflection”, College Teaching, Jan 2020. DOI: 10.1080/87567555.2020.1713041
Ryan D. Sweeder, Merve N. Kursav, Samantha M. F. Cass, Rebecca L. Matz “Understanding the impact of learning community support for STEM students with low mathematics placement”, Learning Communities Research and Practice, 7(2), Article 2 (2019). Available here
Ryan D. Sweeder, Deborah G. Herrington, Jessica R. VandenPlas “Students’ Independent Use of Screencasts and Simulations to Construct Understanding of Kinetics”, Chem Ed. Res. Pract. (2019) DOI: 10.1039/C9RP00008A
Deborah G. Herrington, Ryan D. Sweeder, Patrick L. Daubenmire, Chris F. Bauer, Stacey Lowery Bretz, Diane M. Bunce, Justin H. Carmel, Renée Cole, Brittland K. DeKorver, Resa M. Kelly, Scott E. Lewis, Maria Oliver-Hoyo, Stephanie A. C. Ryan, Marilyne Stains, Marcy H. Towns, Ellen J. Yezierski “Supporting the Growth and Impact of the Chemistry Education Research Community” J. Chem. Educ., 2019, 96 (3), pp 393–397 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.8b00823
Kathleen A. Jeffery, Samantha M. F. Cass, Ryan D. Sweeder, “Comparison of students’ readily accessible knowledge of reaction kinetics in lecture- and context-based courses”, Journal of STEM Education (2019), 19(5) 5-13. Available here
Deborah G. Herrington, Ryan D. Sweeder “Using Text messages to Encourage Meaningful Self-assessment Outside of the Classroom”, J Chem Educ (2018) DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.8b00361
Deborah G. Herrington, Ryan D. Sweeder, Jessica R. VandenPlas “Students’ Independent Use of Screencasts and Simulations to Construct Understanding of Solubility Concepts”, J Sci Educ Technol (2017), 26(4) 359-371. DOI 10.1007/s10956-017-9684-2
Alexandra Collins-Webb, Kathleen A. Jeffery, Ryan D. Sweeder “Improving the students’ transition from general chemistry to organic chemistry” Journal of STEM Education (2016), 17 (2), 52-59. Available here
Valles, Sean A., Douglas B. Luckie, Georgina M. Montgomery, Elizabeth H. Simmons, Ryan D. Sweeder, Aklilu Zeleke (2016). “Updating the Two Cultures: How Structures Can Promote Interdisciplinary Cultures.” Change: The Magazine of Higher Learning 48(6): 28-35. doi: 10.1080/00091383.2016.1247580
Douglas B. Luckie, Aaron M. Rivkin, Jacob R. Aubry, Benjamin J. Marengo, Ryan D. Sweeder “Socratic “verbal final” exam enables higher-level assessment and yields significant gains in student learning and engagement in large introductory science courses”, CBE Life Sciences, (2013), 12, 515-529. Available here
Douglas B. Luckie, Ryan D. Sweeder, Richard Bellon, “Bringing Relationships Alive through Interdisciplinary Discourse (BRAID)” International Journal of Pedagogy and Curriculum (2013), 19 (3) 133-144. DOI: 10.18848/2327-7963/CGP/v19i03/48920
Ryan D. Sweeder, Kathleen A. Jeffery “A Comprehensive General Chemistry Demonstration” Journal of Chemical Education (2013), 90 (1), 96-98. DOI: 10.1021/ed300367y
Aaron M. McCright, Brian W. O’Shea, Ryan D. Sweeder, Gerald R. Urquhart, Aklilu Zeleke “Promoting Interdisciplinarity to Enhance Multiple Literacies” Nature Climate Change (2013), 3(8), 713-716. doi:10.1038/nclimate1844
Ryan D. Sweeder, Philip E. Strong, “Supporting Undergraduate Students in Earning a STEM Degree” International Journal of Learning in Higher Education (2013), 19 (3), 83-90. https://doi.org/10.18848/2327-7955/CGP/v19i03/48657
Ryan D. Sweeder, Kathleen A. Jeffery, and Aaron M. McCright “Lyman Briggs College: an Innovative Living-Learning Community for STEM Education” Quality Approaches in Higher Education (2012), 3 (2), 7-14. Available here
Leah E. Creech, Ryan D. Sweeder “Gender Performance Differences in Life Science Courses” CBE Life Sciences Education (2012), 11, 386–391. Available here doi:10.1187/cbe.12-02-0019
Ryan D. Sweeder, Philip E. Strong, “Impact of a Sophomore Seminar on STEM Majors Desire to Pursue a Science Career” Journal of STEM Education, 13(3), 52-61 (2012). Available here
Douglas B. Luckie, Richard Bellon, Ryan D. Sweeder “The “BRAID”: Experiments in Stitching Together Disciplines at a Big Ten University” Journal of STEM Education, 13(2), 6-14. (2012). Available here
Kristie Macrakis, Elizabeth K. Bell, Dale L. Perry, Ryan D. Sweeder “Invisible Ink Revealed: Concept, Context and Principles of “Cold War” Writing”, Journal of Chemical Education, 89(4) 529-532. (2012) DOI: 10.1021/ed2003252
Ryan D. Sweeder, Aaron M. McCright “Lyman Briggs College: an Innovative Living-Learning Community for STEM Education” Conference Paper from 2012 ASQ Advancing the STEM Agenda in Education, the Workplace and Society, University of Wisconsin-Stout (2012). Available here
Ryan D. Sweeder, Philip E. Strong “Preparing Students for STEM Careers at the Lyman Briggs College” Conference Paper from 2012 ASQ Advancing the STEM Agenda in Education, the Workplace and Society, University of Wisconsin-Stout (2012). Available here
Matthew M. Rauschenberger, Ryan D. Sweeder “Gender Performance Differences in Biochemistry” Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education 38(6), 380-384 (2010).
Kevin Haudek, Rosa A. Moscarella, Mark M. Urban-Lurain, John. E. Merrill, Ryan D. Sweeder, Gail Richmond (2009, April 17-21). Using lexical analysis software to understand student knowledge transfer between chemistry and biology. Paper presented at the National Association of Research in Science Teaching Annual Conference, Garden Grove, CA. Available here
Amy C. Gottfried, Ryan D. Sweeder, Jeffrey M. Bartolin, Jessica A. Hessler, Benjamin P. Reynolds, Ian C. Stewart, Brian P. Coppola, and Mark M. Banaszak Holl, “Design and Implementation of a Studio-Based General Chemistry Course at the University of Michigan” Journal of Chemical Education, 84, 265-270 (2007).
Book Chapters
Elizabeth H. Simmons and Ryan Sweeder, “Lyman Briggs College: An Environment Supporting Change” in Improving Undergraduate STEM Education at Research Universities: A Collection of Case Studies. Research Corporation for Science Advancement (2016). Washington, DC. [Book Chapter]
Non-Peer Reviewed
Blog post: Deborah Herrington and Ryan Sweeder, “Chemistry Education Research (CER): Where we came from, where are we now, and where can we go?” for the American Chemical Society’s Division of Chemical Education YCES blog, Nov 2019. Available here
Publications – Synthetic Chemistry Research
Caleb H. Springsteen, Ryan D. Sweeder, and Robert L. LaDuca “Ligand and Anion Effects on the Morphology of Aqueous Substructures Entrained within One-Dimensional [CuL4X] Coordination Polymer Matrices (L) 2,4¢-Bipyridine, 4-Phenylpyridine; X) SO42-, SiF62-)” Crystal
Growth and Design 6, 10, 2308-2314 (2006).
Catherine M. Oertel; Ryan D. Sweeder; Sonal Patel; Craig M. Downie; Francis J. DiSalvo Inorganic Chemistry, “Synthesis and characterization of hydrogen-bonded assemblies of W6S8L6 clusters” 44(7), 2287-96 (2005).
R. D. Sweeder, K. A. Miller, F. A. Edwards, M. M. Banaszak Holl, and J. W. Kampf Organometallics, “Exploring two reactions of ketones with Ge[CH(SiMe3)2]2: CH and OH insertion” 22, 5054-5056 (2003).
R. D. Sweeder, Z. T. Cygan, M. M. Banaszak Holl, and J. W. Kampf Organometallics “Germylene-induced Hydrogenation of Benzophenone” 22, 4613-4615 (2003).
K. A. Miller, J. M. Bartolin, R. M. O’Neil, R. D. Sweeder, J. W. Kampf, M. M. Banaszak Holl, and N. J. Wells, J. Am. Chem. Soc. “C-H Activation of Ethers and Alkanes by Germylene-Aryl Halide Complexes,” 125, 8986-8987 (2003).
R. D. Sweeder, R. L. Gdula, B. J. Ludwig, M. M. Banaszak Holl, and J. W. Kampf, Organometallics “Quinones Shed Light on Germylene-Phenone Equilibrium,” 22, 3222-3229 (2003).
R. D. Sweeder, K. A. Miller, M. M. Banaszak Holl and J. W. Kampf, Organometallics, “A Quick, Efficient Method for Converting Phenones into Conjugated Trienes,” 21, 457-459 (2002).
K. E. Litz, J. E. Bender, R. D. Sweeder and M. M. Banaszak Holl, Organometallics, “Photochemistry of Organometallic Germylenes and Metallacycles,” 19, 186-189 (2000).
