Doctor of Philosophy Adult Education & Human Resource Development Texas A&M University; College Station, TX; 2011
Certificate College Teaching Texas A&M University; College Station, TX; 2008
Certificate Human Resource Management Cornell University; Ithaca, New York; 2005
Masters of International Business Administration International Business Nova Southeastern University; Fort Lauderdale, FL;1997
Bachelor of Science Hospitality & Tourism Management Nova Southeastern University; Fort Lauderdale, FL;1997
Biography
Dr. Petra A. Robinson is the Interim Director of and Professor in the School of Leadership
& Human Resource Development, in the College of Human Sciences & Education at Louisiana
State University (LSU). She previously served as Director of Faculty Affairs and Professional
Development for the College, where she led initiatives to advance faculty excellence,
mentorship, and scholarly productivity.
Dr. Robinson earned her PhD in Educational Administration and Human Resource Development
from Texas A&M University. She is a recipient of numerous honors recognizing her academic
and professional leadership, including the LSU Distinguished Faculty Award, the Commission
of Professors in Adult Education Mid-Career Award, and the Tiger Athletic Foundation
Undergraduate Teaching Award.
Her research and practice focus on adult learning and development, human resource
development, critical literacies, and workforce development, with particular attention
to leadership, equity, organizational and professional development, and the ways individuals
learn and develop across educational and workplace contexts. She has presented widely
at national and international conferences and is the author or editor of eight books,
including The Adult Learner: The Definitive Classic in Adult Education and Human Resource
Development (10th ed.).
Most recently, Dr. Robinson received funding from the National Science Foundation’s
(NSF) Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program for a multi-year initiative that prepares
middle school teachers to integrate artificial intelligence and cybersecurity education
into their classrooms through research experiences, professional learning, and experiential
STEM education.
Dr. Petra A. Robinson maintains an active and robust research portfolio, with numerous
peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and co-edited volumes that advance scholarship
in adult learning and human resource development.
Research Interests
Her research explores the intersections of critical literacies, adult learning and
development, and human resource development, with particular emphasis on:
Adult learning and human resource development, examining how adults learn, develop, and adapt across educational, organizational,
and workforce contexts
Critical literacies, equity, and agency, with attention to how power, access, and social context shape learning, decision-making,
and opportunities for action
Professional, career, and organizational development, including the conditions that support professional identity, belonging, career growth,
learning, and development
Workforce development and transformation, particularly how individuals and organizations respond to changing occupational,
technological, and societal demands
AI, emerging technologies, and the future of learning and work, including the literacies and competencies needed to navigate evolving educational
and workforce environments
Selected Publications
Robinson, P. A., & Hager, B.A. (2025). Examining the experiences of veterans in higher education
through the lens of Veteran Critical Theory. New Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development, 37 (2) 86-101. https://doi.org/10.1177/19394225241281
Robinson, P. A. & Stojanović, M. (2024). Developing critical literacies in US adult education degree
programs: What is advertised on university websites? Australian Journal of Adult Learning. https://tinyurl.com/289apgor
Stojanović, M., & Robinson, P. A. (2024). A critical conceptual framework for understanding career development in linguistically
diverse individual and organizational contexts. Career Development International. Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-07-2023-0229
Burrell-Craft, K., Robinson, P. A., & Allen-Handy, A. (2023). A conceptual framework for positive Black female identity
formation. Journal of African American Women and Girls in Education, 2(3), 34-49. https://doi.org/10.21423/jaawge-v2i3a104
Park, S., & Robinson, P.A. (2022). The effect of online academic coaches on supporting graduate students’ performance
in intensive online learning environments: A three course comparison. Journal of European Training and Development, 46(1/ 2), 70-85. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJTD-10-2020-0144
Robinson, P.A., Stojanović, M., Robinson, Z.Z., & Russo Lyons, R. (2022). Pandemonium, panic, and
the pandemic: Implications for human resource development from an unplanned shift
to online learning. European Journal of Training and Development. 46 (5/6), 667-681. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJTD-01-2021-0015
Selected Books
Holton, E.F., Robinson, P. A., Caraccioli, C. (Eds.) (2025). Andragogy in practice: Case studies on innovation in adult learning. Routledge.
Knowles, M., Holton, E.F., Robinson, P. A., & Caraccioli, C. (2025). The adult learner: The definitive classic in adult education and human resource development (10th ed.). Routledge.
Alfred, M. V., Robinson, P. A., & Roumell, E. (Eds.). (2021). Advancing the global agenda for human rights, vulnerable populations, and environmental
sustainability: Adult education as strategic partner. The Adult Higher Education Alliance Book Series. Information Age Publishing.
Selected Presentations
Park, S., Hager, B.A., & Robinson, P. A. (2025, October 7-10). Psychological safety research in the military: Review and implications. [Refereed Paper Presentation] American Association of Adult and Continuing Education,
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States.
Robinson, P. A. & Stojanović, M. (2025, October 7-10). Becoming multilingual educators: EMI faculty identity formation in globalized higher
education. [Refereed Paper Presentation] American Association of Adult and Continuing Education,
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States.
Ricks, T.P., & Robinson, P. A. (2025, October 7-10). How a Syllabus Can Help Bridge the Generational Divide. [Refereed Paper Presentation] American Association of Adult and Continuing Education,
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States.
Sim, E., Robinson, P. A. & Shirazi, H.P. (2025, October 7-10). Introducing critical AI literacy in adult learning and education. [Refereed Paper Presentation] American Association of Adult and Continuing Education,
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States.
Robinson, P. A., Hager, B.A., & Holliday, A. (2025, March 29-April 1). Veteran Critical Theory: Exploring Veterans’ Transitions and Support for Underrepresented
Students. [Refereed Paper Presentation]. American Association of Blacks in Higher Education
Annual Conference. National Harbor, Maryland, United States.
Grants
Robinson, P. A., Hager, B.A. (Co-PI) & (PI), Wilson-Kennedy (Co-PI). (2025) RESS: Research Experience
in STEM Settings (RESS): Promoting Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and
Cybersecurity Education (PEACE in STEM). National Science Foundation RESS Grant. ($559,893)
Robinson, P. A. (PI) & Kennedy, E. (2023). Cultural Sensitivity Review of Assessment Resources for
Cybersecurity (sub-award) DARK Enterprises/National Science Foundation (NSF) ($15,000)
Robinson, P. A. (PI) & Park, S. (Co-PI) (2022). Turnover Intention at the Louisiana Department of
Children and Family Services (DCFS) ($249,106)
Robinson, P. A. & Rizzuto, T. (2015). Ready. Set. What Next? Readiness Assessments and the Adult
Learner’s Path to an Online Degree. Academic Partnerships Faculty Research Grant.
($3,000).
Professional Service
President-Elect American Association of Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE)
Conference Chair American Association of Adult & Continuing Education
External Examiner University of Technology, Jamaica
Editorial Board Member Adult Learning
Editorial Board Member Journal of Research Initiatives
Editorial Board Member Journal of Research and Practice for Adult Literacy, Secondary, and Basic Education
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