Distinguished University Scholar & Professor
Tier 1, Canada Research Chair in Psychometrics and Measurement
Professor Zumbo, UBC Distinguished University Scholar, is a mathematical scientist who employs a blend of mathematical and statistical approaches with philosophies of science to enhance theories and solve issues in the realms of statistical science, measurement, testing and assessment, and social, behavioural, and health-related surveys.
An immense curiosity drives his scholarly life and desire to learn. His primary focus has been understanding and articulating the mathematical and conceptual nuances of measurement, test theory, and social surveys. This focus on understanding, coupled with a great deal of energy and commitment to knowledge dissemination and mobilization, has resulted in a prolific record of published research papers, monographs, edited volumes, and invited addresses and webinars available online. Although his first tenure-track professorship started in 1990, his first peer-reviewed scientific publication appeared in 1987.
He began his career as an Assistant Professor in January 1990, with his first tenure-track appointment in the Faculty of Education and an adjunct appointment in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Ottawa (1990-1994). He subsequently held professorships in the Departments of Psychology and of Mathematics at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC, 1994-2000) prior to starting his current appointment in the Measurement, Evaluation, and Research Methodology (MERM) Program and associate membership in the Institute of Applied Mathematics (IAM) at the University of British Columbia in 2000 where he is Professor and Distinguished University Scholar, the Canada Research Chair in Psychometrics and Measurement (Tier 1)
In terms of awards and recognition, in the fall of 2022, he was nominated and elected a full member of the Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society (ΣΞ), an honour society founded in 1886 for scientists and engineers. He was awarded the Centennial Medal of Distinction in 2019. He was the Paragon UBC Professor of Psychometrics & Measurement (2015 to 2024) and twice selected a Killam Laureate; Faculty Research Prize – 2017 in recognition of outstanding research and scholarly contributions, and Teaching Prize – 2012 in recognition of excellence in teaching. He was the first UBC professor elected a Fellow of the American Educational Research Association, AERA, 2011. A complete list of his awards and recognitions is below.
Scholarly Interests:
He is an experienced researcher whose pioneering work has addressed several cross-disciplinary recurring topics in psychometrics and statistical methods, such as (i) validity theory and validation practices, (ii) measurement invariance and item bias, (iii) studies of the robustness of statistical and psychometric methods to violations of their assumptions, and (iv) the development of nonparametric, Bayesian, and adaptive alternatives. The main themes in his primary core research program are:
- Mathematical science: formulating mental test theory as an abstract mathematical model, using concepts in measure theory, probability theory, and functional analysis
- Geometry of multivariate statistics and psychometrics; Bayesian analysis; mixed & latent variable models; item response theory (IRT); generalizability theory (G-theory); classical test theory (CTT)
As evident from the list of publications, awards, and academic titles, his professional contributions reflect a pragmatic and eclectic attitude in methodological matters that have also led to concomitant advances in international assessment and surveys, language testing, and the methodology of quality of life and wellbeing, health and human development. These more discipline-specific advances, in the end, feed his primary core research program.
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Elected a full member of the Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society is the international honor society of science and engineering. One of the oldest and largest scientific organizations in the world, founded in 1886. October 2022
Canada Research Chair in Psychometrics and Measurement – Tier 1 June, 2020
Paragon UBC Professorship in Psychometrics & Measurement July 2015- April 2024
Centenary Medal of Distinction, 2019
Distinguished University Scholar, UBC, 2017
Killam Research Prize, UBC, 2017
Recipient of the UBC Killam Teaching Prize, 2012
Elected a Fellow of the American Educational Research Association, AERA, 2011
Recipient of the Research Fellow Award by the International Society for Quality of Life Studies, ISQOLS, 2010
Recipient of the Samuel J. Messick Memorial Lecture Award, awarded jointly by ETS, LRTC, and ILTA, 2005
Recipient of the first UNBC University of Northern British Columbia University-wide Excellence in Teaching Award, 1998
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Research Fellow, 1989
The UBC Psychometric Research Webinar Series is part of the knowledge mobilization efforts to maximize the impact of the research emerging from the UBC Canada Research Chair (Tier 1), Psychometrics and Measurement. We aim to foster improved psychometric research and practice, testing, assessment, and survey design globally.
- The UBC Psychometric Webinar Series aims to share new developments with you in psychometrics and statistical science. The series’ focus is described in general terms: psychometrics, testing, assessment, and statistical and data science.
- URL: Bruno D. Zumbo YouTube Channel
- List of the presentation materials (text) and online videos of my webinars, invited and keynote addresses, and key reports URL: [Invited Addresses & Webinars]
Director of the Edgeworth Laboratory for for Quantitative Educational & Behavioural Science, UBC
EPSE 681C Psychometric & Data Science Concerns for Fairness & Equity with Emerging Technologies
EPSE 684 Item Response Theory
EPSE 681C Test Theory, Reliability, & Generalizability Theory
EPSE 683 Hierarchical Linear Modeling, Growth and Change
Carleton University
University of Alberta