Vera Michalchik is a Researcher Social Scientist at SRI International trained in both anthropology and cognitive science who focuses on the social and cultural aspects of learning. Her recent research includes case studies of technology use and learning in informal settings, analyses of science discourse and communication, and studies of representational technology in learning science and mathematics. She is especially interested in how various types of social interactions and modes of communication support or detract from students’ participation in learning activities, and how this affects issues of equity. Her work on such projects as ChemSense, the community Technology Centers evaluation, and NetCalc reflect this interest. She has extensive experience in conducting case studies, video analyses of learning environments, and ethnographic fieldwork. She received her B.A. in Film Studies from University of California, Berkeley, 1985; M.Ed. in Human Development from Harvard University, 1986; and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Stanford University.