Doris Bergen papers

Collection — Box: 1-12

Identifier: 114.4557

Staff Only

The Doris Bergen papers are a compilation of manuscripts, published articles, conference presentations, research data, correspondence, notes, and primary source materials created or recorded by Dr. Doris Bergen throughout her four decades in the educational psychology and early childhood education fields. Original research data in these materials include written adult memories of childhood play, written observations of young children’s humor by parents and teachers, and elementary school student questionnaires on the problem-solving skills involved in projects using the LEGO Logo computer programming language. There are 100 VHS cassettes of recorded observations of preschool children and special needs children at play in the United States, China, and other countries. The bulk of the materials in this collection are dated between 1989 and 2010, during part of Dr. Bergen’s tenure at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

The Doris Bergen papers have been arranged into two series, both of which have been further divided into subseries. The materials are housed in 12 archival document boxes.

Dates

1972 - 2014
Majority of material found within 1989 - 2010

Creator

Sponseller, Doris Bergen (Person)

Language

The materials in this collection are primarily in English. There are some instances of Chinese and French; these have been noted in the finding aid.

Conditions Governing Use

This collection is open for research use by staff of The Strong and by users of its library and archives. Though the donor has not transferred intellectual property rights (including, but not limited to any copyright, trademark, and associated rights therein) to The Strong, she has given permission for The Strong to make copies in all media for museum, educational, and research purposes.

Extent

7.5 Linear Feet (12 boxes)

Additional Description

Abstract

Biographical Note

Doris Bergen, PhD, is a retired Distinguished Professor and current Professor Emerita in the Department of Educational Psychology at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She has been in the educational psychology field for over four decades.

Bergen received her PhD from Michigan State University in 1974, concentrating on the developmental emphasis of educational psychology. Bergen held professor positions at Oakland University (Rochester, Michigan), Wheelock College (Boston, Massachusetts), and Pittsburg State University (Pittsburg, Kansas) prior to her appointment at Miami University. Between 1988 and 2013, Bergen taught a range of courses related to learning, human development, assessment, and educational psychology at Miami University, while also serving as the department chair for a decade. She authored numerous books, book chapters, and journal articles on play, technology-enhanced toys, humor, and early childhood development. Bergen presented her research findings at dozens of scholarly conferences and meetings. She served on national, state, and local committees on education, as well as on editorial review boards for scholarly publications.

Upon Bergen’s retirement from Miami University in May 2013, the institution renamed its interdisciplinary research center to the Doris Bergen Center for Human Development, Learning, and Technology. Dr. Bergen has received multiple fellowships, awards, and honors for her significant contributions to the fields of early childhood education, educational psychology, and human development. She continues to be involved in academia and in various professional organizations.

System of Arrangement

Series I: Professional papers, 1972-2014

Subseries A: Manuscripts

Subseries B: Publications

Subseries C: Conference presentations

Subseries D: Research study proposals and documentation

Subseries E: Correspondence

Subseries F: Miscellaneous materials

Series II: Original research data, c. 1987-2004

Subseries A: Written data

Subseries B: Observational videos

Custodial History

The Doris Bergen papers were donated to The Strong in August and September 2014 as a gift from Doris Bergen. The papers, received from Bergen in 16 boxes, were accessioned by The Strong under Object ID 114.4557