Research News

Vanderbilt education faculty ranked among most influential

Twelve Vanderbilt faculty members were named in the Edu-Scholar Public Presence Rankings, released today, which recognizes university-based academics who are contributing substantially to public debates about K-12 and higher education.

Lynn Fuchs
Lynn Fuchs

The list is compiled annually by Education Week blogger and American Enterprise Institute Director of Education Policy Frederick (Rick) Hess. Vanderbilt had the third most faculty included on the list, behind Stanford University and Harvard University, with 17 each.

Notably, two Vanderbilt faculty were ranked in the top 50: Lynn Fuchs, Nicholas Hobbs Chair and professor of special education at Vanderbilt’s Peabody College for education and human development (39); and Camilla Benbow, Patricia and Rodes Hart Dean of Education and Human Development and professor of psychology at Peabody (tied at 45).

Camilla Benbow
Camilla Benbow (Vanderbilt)

“As a college, Peabody seeks to offer a strong voice in debates about how to improve education,” Benbow said. “I am pleased to see so many of our faculty members recognized for their contributions to public discourse.”

Other Vanderbilt scholars that were included on this year’s list were:

Joseph Murphy, associate dean for special projects, Frank W. Mayborn Chair in Peabody College and professor of education

Ellen Goldring, Patricia and Rodes Hart Chair and professor and chair of the Department of Leadership, Policy and Organizations;

Gary T. Henry, Patricia and Rodes Hart Chair and professor of public policy and education;

Richard Milner, associate professor of education;

Dale Ballou, associate professor of leadership, policy and organizations;

Bruce McCandliss, Patricia and Rodes Hart Chair and professor of psychology and human development;

Thomas Smith, associate professor of public policy and education and director of graduate studies of the Department of Leadership, Policy and Organizations;

Matthew Springer, assistant professor of public policy and education;

Christopher Loss, assistant professor of public policy and education; and

Jason A. Grissom, assistant professor of public policy and education.

Contact: Lauren Aronson, (202) 862-5904
lauren.aronson@aei.org