Faculty Expert

  • Katharine O. Strunk

    Dean, Graduate School of Education

    Policy, Organizations, Leadership, and Systems Division

The National Academy of Education (NAEd)— an honorific society dedicated to advancing high-quality education research and its use in policy and practice — has elected Katharine O. Strunk, Dean of the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE), as a new member of the Academy. Membership in the NAEd is widely recognized as one of the highest honors in the field of education research.

Strunk joins a distinguished group of scholars whose work has significantly shaped the understanding of educational systems, policies, and practices. Her election reflects her sustained contributions to education research, policy, and leadership — marked by a commitment to partner-driven inquiry and consequential scholarship that informs real-world decisions affecting schools and learners.

“It is an incredible honor to be elected to the National Academy of Education,” said Dean Strunk. “I am deeply grateful to my colleagues, partners, and students whose collaboration has made my research. This recognition underscores the importance of rigorous, partner-driven research that advances equitable and effective education for all learners.”

Strunk, who became dean of Penn GSE in July 2023, is nationally renowned for her work on teacher labor markets, school and district improvement, governance, and accountability policies. Her research blends mixed methods with deep partnership across education systems, helping policymakers and practitioners better understand the effects of policy choices on outcomes for educators and students alike.

Under Dean Strunk’s leadership, the Graduate School of Education has continued to build on its legacy of advancing “research with consequence” — fostering scholarship that not only expands academic knowledge but also drives practical improvements in education locally, nationally, and globally.

The National Academy of Education’s members include leading scholars in education and related fields whose work has had profound impacts on educational research, policy, and practice. Election is based on outstanding scholarship and a demonstrated commitment to the improvement of education through research and its application.

Penn GSE’s presence in the National Academy of Education is both deep and distinguished. Current and past Penn GSE faculty who are NAEd members include:

  • Vivian L. Gadsden, William T. Carter Professor of Child Development and Education and incoming Vice President of the Academy
  • Sigal Ben-Porath, MRMJJ Presidential Professor of Education and internationally recognized scholar on democratic education
  • Howard Stevenson, Constance Clayton Professor of Urban Education and a renowned scholar in education and psychology
  • Laura W. Perna, GSE Centennial Presidential Professor of Education and Penn Vice Provost for Faculty
  • John Fantuzzo, Emeritus Professor and influential researcher on early childhood and urban education
  • Diana Slaughter Kotzin, Professor Emerita and long-standing contributor to research on developmental and cultural contexts of education
  • Nancy Hornberger, Professor Emerita specializing in language policy and literacy
  • Pam Grossman, Professor Emerita of Education and former Penn GSE dean
  • Andrew C. Porter, Emeritus Professor and former dean whose work transformed the field of educational measurement
  • Amy Gutmann, Penn President Emerita and secondary GSE faculty member with a longstanding record of leadership in education and public policy

These scholars represent the breadth of Penn GSE’s impact on education research, policy, and practice—from early childhood and literacy to higher education access and educational assessment, and from civic and democratic learning to culturally responsive pedagogy. Their collective work has shaped national and international conversations about teaching, learning, equity, and education reform.

Strunk’s election to the Academy further strengthens Penn GSE’s presence within this prestigious community of scholars and amplifies the school’s role in shaping the future of education research and policy.

Media Inquiries

Penn GSE Communications is here to help reporters connect with the education experts they need.

Kat Stein

Executive Director of Penn GSE Communications

(215) 898-9642

katstein@upenn.edu

Related News

All Related News

Sigal Ben-Porath Discusses Higher Education, Free Speech, and the Future of Democracy

Sigal Ben-Porath discusses the critical role of higher education in defending free speech and fostering democratic engagement, arguing that colleges must model open dialogue and civic responsibility if they are to prepare students to sustain democratic norms in an era of polarization.

Richard Ingersoll Says Four-Day School Week Trend Reflects Efforts to Address Teacher Turnover

Richard Ingersoll says that with a school district unanimously approving a four-day week beginning in August 2026 as part of a broader trend in U.S. schools, the move highlights growing efforts to address rising teacher turnover and burnout by offering schedule flexibility and professional development time on the fifth day, even as research on its impact remains mixed.

At Penn GSE, SMART Students Turn Research into Real-World Innovation

Annie Yang and Sora Cha developed an AI-powered platform for families of autistic children that earned recognition at a recent global hackathon and is now starting pilot testing.

Jonathan Zimmerman Says Government Should Not Demand Lists of Jewish Students and Employees

He writes in the Philadelphia Inquirer that such lists are an affront to civil liberties and a reminder of dark chapters in history when such inquiries were used to marginalize and persecute Jewish communities.

Sigal Ben-Porath Says Government Demand for List of Jewish Students and Employees Threatens Civil Liberties

Ben-Porath co-authored a piece with faculty from Wharton and Penn Carey Law in the Guardian about how such lists have historically been a prelude to persecution and could set a precedent for broader government overreach into personal data and academic freedom.

Podcast Roundup: Penn GSE Faculty on the Mic

Charlotte Jacobs, Robert Zemsky, and Jonathan Zimmerman appeared on “The Teacher’s Forum,” “College Knowledge,” and “The Re-Educated Podcast,” respectively, to discuss some of the biggest issues in education.

Karen Weaver Says New Athlete Pay Practices Raise Funding and Equity Questions

Karen Weaver says that as Pennsylvania schools, including Temple, Villanova, and Penn State, begin directly paying athletes under new revenue-sharing rules following federal class-action settlements, questions are emerging about how institutions will fund payments and whether equity concerns could prompt future legal challenges.

Efforts Underway to Narrow the Gender Gap in STEM Education

Janine Remillard highlights efforts to narrow the gender gap in STEM education, noting that teachers are encouraged to engage more female students in STEM through hands-on activities, practical lessons, and extracurricular programs to boost confidence and support long-term participation in science and math fields.

Karen Weaver Says Transfer Portal Trends Are Shaping Decisions Like Luke Baklenko’s Move

Karen Weaver says that the rise of the transfer portal is reshaping college sports as athletes like Luke Baklenko make strategic decisions about their careers, weighing playing opportunities, development, and long-term goals.