Kadir Bahar

Biography

Dr. Bahar is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Georgia. With the support of two prestigious fellowships, Minority Doctoral Research Fellowship and Professorate Fellowship, he earned his Ph.D. from the University of Arizona in Psychoeducational Studies. Dr. Bahar’s research focuses on talent development and gender and race-based excellence gaps in STEM areas, with a specific focus on mathematics learning.

Dr. Bahar’s research has appeared in journals including Gifted Child Quarterly and Journal of Advanced Academics. Dr. Bahar is the recipient of numerous awards including Emerging Scholar Award from World Council for Talented Children and Early Career Award from NAGC Special Populations Network and Ocie T. Dekle Excellence in Teaching Award from University of Georgia. Currently Dr. Bahar serves as the interim co-editor of the Gifted and Talented International, and he is in the editorial board of the Gifted Child Quarterly, Journal of Advanced Academics, and Gifted Education International.

Interests

  • Excellence Gaps
  • Talent Development
  • Mathematical Creativity

Education

  •  Ph.D in Education
    University of Arizona
  •  B.S. in Industrial Engineering
    Bilkent University

Concentrations

Contact

 Aderhold Hall, 624D
 706-542-6907 (office)
 @akadirbahar

Research Summary

My research broadly explores achievement and creativity, both within and outside of school contexts, through equity and empowerment lenses, with theoretical frameworks from critical pedagogy and cognitive psychology. My scholarly work focuses on two overlapping but distinct strands: First, I investigate excellence gaps, in particular gender and racial disparities in advanced academic programs in STEM subjects, with specific attention on mathematics achievement. My second area of research focuses on educational strategies for enhancing mathematical creativity and problem solving in PreK-12 settings. More specifically this research is nested in the heart of the discussion that focuses on the role of teachers and educational setting on the development of creative potential. I use a range of advanced quantitative methods including but not limited to multi-level modelling, hierarchical and logistic regression models, Q-factor analysis, and Mann Kendal trend analysis.

Awards and Accolades

Emerging Scholar Award

World Council for Talented Children, 2023

Commitment to Social Justice Award

Anti-Racism Coalition (ARC) , 2023

Ocie T. Dekle Excellence in Teaching Award

University of Georgia, 2023

Early Career Award

MFECOE University of Georgia, 2023

Early Career Award

NAGC Special Populations Network, 2022