What inspires me
I’m inspired by ideas, especially ideas that are different than my own. I’m inspired by questions, in particular questions that challenge assumptions and turn a situation on its head. I’m inspired by compassion, both individual acts of kindness and community-based work. I’m inspired by potential, the idea of what something could be and the contribution I can make to change. (And of course, my daily muse can be found in a well-made cappuccino.)
Background
I come to museums through the lens of learning and education. When I started volunteering at my campus art museum as an undergraduate Art History student, I realized almost immediately that what I cared about more than the art itself was people’s interactions with the art. I have a master’s degree in Museum Studies from the University of Toronto, and a PhD in Educational Psychology from the University of Maryland College Park. Before coming to the UW, I spent 15 years at the Institute for Learning Innovation, conducting evaluation and research with museums across the country to help them better understand their visitors, how and what they learn, and what that means for developing meaningful museum experiences.
Specializations
My areas of specialization include research and evaluation; art museum education, critical and creative thinking; and youth development, family learning, and parent involvement.
Publications
Hoke, K., Storksdieck, M., Riedinger, K., Rehkamp, J., & Luke, J. J. (in prep). Interplay: A framework of play-based STEM engagement at exhibits for young children. Curator: The Museum Journal.
Luke, J.J., Chesnut, K.L., Gingery, A., Guan, Y., Miao, S., Shields, E., Terry, L., Velandia-Pirazan, Bramblett, A., Fontana, J., Fry, M., Johnson, M., Krause, E., Krieger, L., Lam, W., Lees, M., Salgado Smith, M., Yorioka, P., & Zamudio, M. (in review). Does a self-directed visit to an art museum impact people’s well-being? Our answer is yes, and no. Curator: The Museum Journal.
Luke, J.J., Warmer, S., Rivera, N., Nelson, K., Windleharth, T., Tung, A., & Cheng, K. (2025). The effects of exhibit design on preschoolers’ peer relationship skills in children’s museums. Journal of Museum Education, 50(2), 166-175.
Luke, J.J., Porter, J., & Katayama, E. (2025). Toward a shared vision: New approaches to art museum interpretation. Journal of Museum Education, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/10598650.2025.2476305.
Luke, J.J., & Foley, C. (2025). Impacts of awe and wonder on adults’ critical thinking during an art museum visit. Studies in Art Education, 66(1), 94-111.
Luke, J.J., Rivera, N., & Brenkert, S. (2022). Preschoolers’ social emotional learning in children’s museums and community playgrounds. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 20(2), 229-241.
Dahya, N., Roldan, W., Lee, J.H., Yip, J., Luke, J.J., Joya, A., Patino-Liu, D.M., & Summerlin, E. (2022). Virtual reality and youth incarceration: Methodological reflections from a media education and research program. Canadian Journal of Communication, 47(4), 745-760.
Ter-Kazarian, K., & Luke, J.J. (2021). Influence of an art museum visit on individuals’ psychological and physiological indicators of stress. Museums & Social Issues, 14(1-2), 45-59.
Luke, J.J. (2021). “The bloody hell and holy cow moment:” Feeling awe in the art museum. Curator: The Museum Journal, 64(2), 41-55.
Luke, J.J., Rivera, N., Colbert, L., & Scharon, C. (2021). The problem of play in children’s museums. International Journal of Play, 10(1), 63-74.