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Padraig Nash

I’m a learning design consultant with a passion for creating thoughtful, outcome-driven learning experiences. With years of experience across strategy, content, and delivery, I help organizations turn complexity into clarity and learning into real-world impact.

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Learn about Padraig Nash

Padraig Nash, PhD

Learning Design Leader | Learning Scientist | EdTech Innovator

Padraig Nash is a seasoned leader in learning design and the learning sciences, with over two decades of experience driving innovation in education and training across K-12, higher education, and workforce learning. Holding a PhD in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a specialization in Learning Sciences, Padraig  brings deep expertise in designing authentic, effective, and inclusive learning experiences that foster real-world skills.

Throughout his career, Padraig has focused on simulation-based and experiential learning, helping learners—from K12 students to mid-career professionals—develop the competencies they need to thrive in complex, evolving professional
environments. His work has spanned virtual internships for middle schoolers, professional upskilling platforms for tech
workers, and the development of educational products used by millions.

Currently an independent consultant and instructor in the University of Wisconsin’s Learning Analytics master’s
program, Padraig collaborates with mission-driven organizations to strengthen learning systems and strategic impact.
He has advised philanthropic and educational groups such as the Education Strategy Group, The Climate Pledge, and
Edios Media on learning systems, sustainability models, and platform evaluation.

Previously, as Director of Learning Science and Instructional Design at Udemy, Padraig was a strategic thought
leader behind Udemy Labs and Assessments—innovative product lines that blended hands-on technical training with
real-world context. Under his leadership, his team supported the development of high-impact courses, produced
instructional design toolkits, and aligned product strategy with learning outcomes to serve global enterprise learners.

Before Udemy, Padraig served as Manager of Learning Engineering at Cengage, where he built and led a team to
embed learning science principles into digital content and platform development. He authored quality learning rubrics,
developed internal training systems, and helped establish the company’s approach to personalized and inclusive
learning.

Earlier in his career, Padraig played a pivotal role in transforming the Lawrence Hall of Science at UC Berkeley into a
leader in digital curriculum. There, he co-led the design of *Amplify Science*, a widely adopted, research-backed K–8
science curriculum, and served as co-PI on a National Science Foundation grant focused on virtual engineering
internships. His work as a Learning Sciences Researcher at UW–Madison’s Epistemic Games Research Laboratory laid
the foundation for much of this work, examining how simulated professional environments can foster deep learning.

Padraig’s approach is rooted in the belief that learning is a pathway to participation in meaningful communities. Equity,
inclusion, and authenticity are central to how he designs and evaluates learning experiences. He has published
extensively in academic journals, spoken at major conferences, and taught thousands through his popular online
course How to Learn: Effective Approaches for Self-Guided Learning.

Whether leading teams, advising executives, designing curricula, or conducting research, Padraig brings intellectual
rigor, strategic vision, and a passion for learning in all forms. His work continues to shape the future of learning across
disciplines and industries.

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Testimonials

While I was Head of School at St. Paul’s Prep in Oakland, Padraig field-tested Amplify Science’s Engineering Internships with our Middle School Students. The project was both rigorous and fun for our students, and I was also impressed at how careful the learning designers were at collecting data about how the programs worked. I consider Padraig an expert at Learning Design for K-12 students, and have for decades consistently leaned on him to be a thought partner about all things learning design and Ed Tech.

Josh Stern-Improvement Specialist,
West Ed

When I was VP of Learning at Cengage Learning, I hired Padraig as Cengage’s first Learning Engineer. He was my partner in helping Cengage develop an institutional focus on learning.
He identified learning principles that grounded multiple product initiatives in Learning Sciences theory. To support these principles, he not only trained newly hired learning designers, but also helped them develop tools and practices that empowered them to make a real difference on Cengage’s products. He is as comfortable working with executives as he is with individual contributors, and that makes him an invaluable asset for both large product initiatives and company culture change.

Chris Cummings-Enterprise Account Executive,
Grammarly for Education

Padraig is both a colleague and friend, and I would strongly recommend him for a wide range of roles in learning design and development. He brings exceptional expertise in learning design, particularly in creating engaging and impactful learning experiences for youth of all ages. His work combines a deep understanding of learning objectives and assessment alignment with innovative approaches to mentoring and social learning. I consider him a leader at connecting learning theory to good design to real-world impact and I admire his ability to collaborate and enhance the work of those around him. 

David Hatfield-Senior Director, Metadata,
McGraw Hill

Padraig teaches the “Learning Analytics and Instructional Design” course in University of Wisconsin-Madison’s MS in Learning Analytics program (offered through the #1-ranked Department of Educational Psychology in the #1-ranked School of Education, per US News & World Report). He brings a valued combination of deep industry expertise in learning design and advanced understanding of learning analytics that both challenges and extends traditional instructional design practice. He encourages students to dig deeper into their work and has evolved the course based on student feedback as well as current trends in both the instructional design and learning analytics industries.

Julia Rutledge, Program Director, MS in Educational Psychology - Learning Analytics University of Wisconsin - Madison

Working with Padraig at Amplify Science was a fantastic experience. Padraig had a vision for how to intertwine the Next Generation Science and Engineering Standards with digital learning in a fun and productive way, and was able to clearly direct the execution of that vision. Ten years after the release of the curriculum, it has been adopted in districts and schools across all 50 states. The Engineering Internships remain one of the most highly reviewed components of the curriculum overall by both students and teachers. As a science educator and communicator, I still think about how those internships were an innovative way to simultaneously teach and authentically assess science content while immersing students in project-based engineering activities.

Desiré Whitmore, Director of Learning Experiences, Staff Physicist, Exploratorium

Ready to Transform Your Learning Experience?

Let’s chat about how I can help you build a learning program that not only meets your objectives but inspires lasting change. Whether you’re at the beginning stages of a project or ready to take your learning strategy to the next level, I’m here to help.

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