Bill Penuel elected to the National Academy of Education
Penuel came to in 2011 as a professor in learning science and human development, and he is the Director of the . His research focuses on teacher learning and organizational processes that shape the implementation of educational policies, school curricula and afterschool programs, and he analyzes learning and development from sociocultural, institutional and complex social systems perspectives. One line of Penuel’s work focuses on how curriculum and professional development can support teacher learning surrounding new science standards, and another line focuses on how research-practice partnerships support educational decision making.
“As a leading scholar in learning sciences, Professor Penuel has dedicated his career to designing and implementing educational policies, professional learning programs and curricula for a more just and equitable educational system,” said Dean Kathy Schultz.
“Bill is a pioneer in the development of research-practice partnerships, and he has contributed immeasurably to their growth across the country. He often shines the brightest spotlight on the important work of his school and district partners. We are so pleased to see Bill and his work recognized in this way, and we know he will be a wonderful contributor to the work of the Academy.”
Several scholars have been elected members in the Academy, including Lorrie Shepard who is an NAEd member and former NAEd president. Penuel joins who will be inducted during the 2019 NAEd Annual Meeting in November.
NAEd members are elected on the basis of outstanding scholarship related to education and their valuable education research and policy contributions. Nominations are submitted by individual Academy members once a year for review and election by the organization’s membership. In addition to serving on expert study panels that address pressing issues in education, members are also deeply engaged in the organization’s professional development programs such as the NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship Program and the NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship Program.
“This diverse group of scholars are being recognized for their extraordinary contributions to education research and policy,” NAEd President Gloria Ladson-Billings said in a . “These leaders are at the forefront of those helping to improve the lives of students in the United States and abroad.”
Penuel, humbled by the recognition, said “these moments are really reminders of all the people who helped you get where you are and who continue to support you and move you into becoming a better scholar.”