Expanding access to hands-on quantum instruction

Hands-on experimentation with real quantum devices provides educational benefits no textbook can replicate. How can we deliver access to such opportunities to students beyond the highly-resourced research universities? We’re working on a replicable model at CSUSM and beyond.

Advisors: Justin Perron and Ed Price,
California State University San Marcos

Associated publications:

This is a new project — check back soon!

Scalable assessment of QIS student learning

How can we know whether our teaching is actually effective? We’re developing the Quantum Computing Conceptual Survey (QCCS) to compare student learning in postsecondary quantum computing courses across courses and institutions.

Advisors: Bethany Wilcox and Steve Pollock,
University of Colorado Boulder
Gina Passante
California State University Fullerton

Associated publications
J. Meyer, S. Pollock, B. Wilcox, G. Passante (2026). Assessing student learning in quantum computing: The challenging case of phase kickback. arXiv:2602.22388

Formal validation paper coming soon! In the meantime, refer to my Ph.D. thesis for preliminary results from the first several pilot semesters

Undergraduate physics identity formation

How do undergraduate students, particularly women and gender minorities, develop and articulate physics identities at this formative juncture of their careers? The PION project interviewed dozens of CUWiP participants to understand their identity journeys. I am particularly interested in the role mentorship and leadership play in the formation of these identities.

Advisors: Jessica Rosenberg and Nancy Holincheck

George Mason University

Associated publications

In the works, anticipated shortly. In the meantime, check out the following cool papers by my collaborators on the project:

https://arxiv.org/abs/2606.16770

https://doi.org/10.1119/perc.2025.pr.Akesson

https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.20.010114

Benchmarking the state of QIS education

Transforming quantum education starts with knowing the present landscape. What courses and degrees are being offered, and who can access them? What is the state of QIS education research?

Associated publications

J. Meyer, S. Goorney, T. Kushimo, Z. Seskir (2026). Resource Letter QIE-1: Research in quantum information education. Accepted to Am J Phys. arXiv:2606.06445

J. Meyer, G. Passante, B. Wilcox (2024). Disparities in access to US quantum information education. Phys Rev PER (open access)

J. Meyer, G. Passante, S. Pollock, B. Wilcox (2024). Introductory quantum information science coursework at US institutions: Content coverage. EPJ Quantum Technology (open access)

J. Meyer, G. Passante, S. Pollock, B. Wilcox (2023). How media hype affects our physics teaching: A case study on quantum computing. The Physics Teacher 2023 (open access)

J. Meyer, G. Passante, S. Pollock, B. Wilcox (2022). Today’s interdisciplinary quantum information classroom: Themes from a survey of quantum information science instructors. Phys Rev PER (open access)

Understanding how students think about quantum

How do students reason about quantum information and quantum computing? And how can we help them build more expertlike problem-solving skills? These questions are key to developing research-based curricular materials and instructional strategies.

Associated publications

J. Meyer, G. Passante, S. Pollock, B. Wilcox. Investigating student interpretations of the differences between classical and quantum computers: Are quantum computers just analog classical computers? PERC Proc. 2022 (open access)

J. Meyer, G. Passante, S. Pollock, M. Vignal, B. Wilcox. Investigating students’ strategies for interpreting quantum states in the context of an upper-division quantum computing class.
PERC Proc. 2021 (open access)

Quantum ethics education

Quantum technologies pose ethical and societal questions, from militarism to cybersecurity to workforce diversity. How can we prepare students to engage meaningfully with these issues in the workforce?

Associated publications

A. Schmidt et al. (2025). Current and future directions for responsible quantum technologies: A ResQT community perspective. arXiv:2509.19815

J. Arrow, S. Marsh, J. Meyer. A holistic approach to quantum ethics education. Proc. IEEE QCE 2023 (open access)

J. Meyer, N. Finkelstein, B. Wilcox. Ethics education in the quantum information science classroom: Exploring attitudes, barriers, and opportunities. Proc. ASEE Annual Conf 2022 (open access)