Jim Ansaldo, PhD
Jim is a Research Scholar at the Center on Education and Lifelong Learning, Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Indiana University Bloomington. For 20 years, he has conducted research, supported school change efforts, and facilitated teacher professional learning around applied improvisation, culturally responsive practice, curriculum design, problem solving, and reflective communication. Jim is a founder and co-director of Camp Yes And. Jim was honored with a 2017 Certificate of Commendation Award by the Indiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association for advancing the welfare of persons with communication disabilities. Jim trained at the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science and leads improv-based workshops that support IU scientists and health professionals to communicate complex topics in clear, vivid, and engaging ways. Currently, Jim is working with faculty at the IU School of Medicine to integrate improv with cognitive behavioral therapy to support youth with anxiety disorders, and he is collaborating with the Alzheimer's Resource Service of IU Health Bloomington Community Health to offer improv workshops for individuals living with dementia, their families, and professional caregivers. Jim regularly performs with CSz Indianapolis and co-produced the improvised historical hip-hop musical Harrison! -- which enjoyed a sold-out run and earned its way into the Top Ten at the 2016 Indy Fringe Theatre Festival.
