Episode 32: A Scientist's Take on Education Research

Dr. Holden Thorp believes that education research is as crucial as research in the “hard” sciences—a surprising perspective coming from the Editor-In-Chief of the Science family of journals, a chemist by training, and former Chancellor of UNC Chapel Hill. He warns that scientists' tendencies to emphasize facts and memorization has led to a lack of appreciation for the critical role of pedagogy and a public misunderstanding of how knowledge is produced. These oversights have real-world implications, from the politicization of curricula in AP courses to the spread of misinformation about climate change and public health. Drawing on his extensive experience in science and education, Dr. Thorp shares his insights into what the scientific community can do to get its house in order.

[Transcript for Episode 32 is available on EdFixPodcast.com]