Derya B. Sunkel, Ph.D., is an affiliate faculty member in the Adult Education program and the Washington Elementary Education Endorsement Program at Antioch University, where she also serves as Field Director for teacher preparation.

She brings more than twenty-five years of experience across P–12 and higher education, including long-standing roles as faculty, mentor, and university field supervisor at Antioch University, the University of Washington (Seattle, Tacoma, Bothell), Seattle University, and Saint Martin’s University.

A Fulbright award recipient, Dr. Sunkel’s work focuses on instructional design, STEAM education, adult learning, and equitable teacher development. Her scholarship centers on cognitive and metacognitive development and integrates learning sciences with neuroscience-informed approaches to reflective practice. She has developed several research-based learning and leadership models—including the Metacognitive Coaching Model (MCM), Self Influence on Learning (SIL), and the Self Leadership Capacity Enhancement (SLCE)—implemented in university programs and international training settings.

She has contributed to nationwide research projects with the University of Washington, Vanderbilt University, and Stanford University (DECISA and DAILC) and leads global education consulting and accreditation initiatives through Ednamics across the United States, Canada, Africa, Australia, Asia, and the Middle East.