Learning Strategy Lab
Integrating Neuroscience, Cognition, and Organizational Behavior
Dr. Seth Martinez, Founder & Director
We help organizations develop more effective leaders and higher performing teams by merging the disciplines of adult neuroscience and cognition with organizational behavior. Specifically, we (1) advance knowledge of leadership and high-performing teams through original social science research, and (2) design solutions to strengthen the organization’s internal leadership bench and team performance. We partner closely with organizations to collect data, develop models, and then to further apply, test, and refine our models in different contexts.
Our Research Focus
Neuroscience & Cognition
We integrate neuroscience and cognitive psychology to inform our examination of the development of expertise.
Leader & Team Development
We examine the contributing factors that most effectively optimize the development and improvement of leadership and team performance.
Enterprise Learning Technology
We seek to research the entire enterprise learning technology ecosystem. This includes knowledge management systems, learning management systems, social learning platforms, authoring tools, etc.
Refereed Publications & Proceedings
In Progress
Da Silva, R., Martinez, S.A., Ali, S., Indart, E., Engle, M., Bray-Beardall, M., Archer, L., Ladd, C., Trentacoste, N., & Shillock, N. (Currently collecting data). The Mental model development of IDs/LXDs.
Martinez, S.A., Wolthuis, A, & Leija, N. (Under 2nd review). Lessons from the experts: A model of servant leader development. Target: Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies.
Martinez, S.A., Buwalda, J., Mohammad, H., Simko, B., Bogle, A. & Dalto, J. (In progress). The wisdom of wrong: Harnessing the benefits of errors to develop expertise. Target: Educational Researcher.
2025
Bharwaney, R., Martinez, S.A., Simko, B. et al. (2025). Empowering organizational learning: Technology-driven performance support for real-time skill building and workflow efficiency. TechTrends.
Martinez, S.A., Ali, S., Mangusheva, K. (2025). Expertise in the workplace: The lifelong pursuit of eminence in professional practice. Teaching Innovations, 1(2025).
Nazario-Ramos, G. & Martinez, S.A. (2025, February 22). Motivation at Work: Unlocking Peak Performance [focus session, double blind presentation]. Academy of Human Resource Development Annual Conference, Arlington, VA, United States.
Martinez, S.A., Ali, S., Mangusheva, K., Archer, L. (2025). How can designers support strong leadership qualities? Chapter in West, R. E., Kopcha, T. J., Stefaniak, J. E., & Dennen, V. P. (Eds.), Psychology of Design (1st ed.). EdTech Books.
Ali, S. & Martinez, S.A. (2025). How do we learn cognitive skills from experts? Chapter in West, R. E., Kopcha, T. J., Stefaniak, J. E., & Dennen, V. P. (Eds.), Psychology of Design (1st ed.). EdTech Books.
Archer, L. & Martinez, S.A. (2025). How can designers use feedback to elevate performance? Chapter in West, R. E., Kopcha, T. J., Stefaniak, J. E., & Dennen, V. P. (Eds.), Psychology of Design (1st ed.). EdTech Books.
2024
Mangusheva, K. & Martinez, S.A. (2024). How Can We Design to Positively Impact Individual Decision Making? Chapter in West, R. E., Kopcha, T. J., Stefaniak, J. E., & Dennen, V. P. (Eds.), Psychology of Design (1st ed.). EdTech Books.
Martinez, S.A., Ali, S., Mangusheva, K., Archer, L., Gibson, B. & Bangs, T. (2024, June 28). Developing expert leaders: The intersection of expertise, cognition, and leadership [abstract, double blind presentation]. Academy of Business Research Online Conference.
2023
Martinez, S. A., Harrington, S., Achilles, C., Mohammed, H., & Tjan, P. (2023). Applying Gibbons’ architectural instructional design approach to evaluate non-profit training. Performance Improvement Journal, 62(6), 205-212.
Martinez, S.A. & Leija, N. (2023). Distinguishing servant leadership from transactional and transformational leadership. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 25(3).
Martinez, S.A. & Kim, E. (2023). Careers in corporate learning and development. In R.E. West & H. Leary (Eds.), Becoming an LIDT Professional (2nd ed.). EdTech Books.
2022
Bharwaney, R., Martinez, S.A., Panathula, M., Dalto, J., Maya, A., & Kopasz, L. (2022). Virtual reality in workplace learning: Affordances, limitations, and future directions. The Journal of Applied Instructional Design, 11(4).