UVA Rotunda at sunset

Eight UVA Professors Remain Among Nation’s Top 200 ‘Most Influential’ Education Scholars

These eight UVA scholars were once again named to the annual list of university-based professors who most influenced education policy and practice.

Audrey Breen

Once again, eight University of Virginia professors who work in a variety of areas of education were named to the annual RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings. All eight scholars have appeared in the rankings in previous years.

The annual rankings, which name the top 200 university-based professors who “did the most last year to shape education practice and policy,” were published January 8 in Education Week’s Rick Hess Straight Up opinion blog.

Grid of 8 individual headshots: Alridge, Bassok, Cohen, Pianta on the top; Tomlinson, Turner, Willingham, Wyckoff on the bottom.
Photo L-R, Row 1: Alridge, Bassok, Cohen, Pianta; L-R, Row 2: Tomlinson, Turner, Willingham, Wyckoff

Seven of the eight UVA scholars named are members of the UVA School of Education and Human Development faculty.

  • Daniel Willingham, professor of psychology, UVA College of Arts & Sciences (No. 16)
  • Carol Tomlinson, William Clay Parrish Professor Emerita (No. 18)
  • Bob Pianta, Batten Bicentennial Professor of Early Childhood Education (No. 49)
  • Sarah Turner, University Professor of Economics & Education (No. 131)
  • Jim Wyckoff, Memorial Professor Emeritus of Education (No. 146)
  • Daphna Bassok, professor of education and public policy (No. 173)
  • Julie Cohen, Charles S. Robb Associate Professor (No. 187)
  • Derrick Alridge, Philip J. Gibson Professor of Education (No. 194)

“I am so pleased to begin the new year with this recognition of the excellent scholars we have at UVA,” said Stephanie Rowley, dean of the School of Education and Human Development. “It is terrific to see our faculty acknowledged for their impactful scholarship in education and human development.”

The annual list is compiled by a selection committee using a series of metrics, including appearing on last year’s rankings, Google Scholar score, mentions in newspapers and the education press, and others. All members of the committee, which this year included Carol Tomlinson, had already qualified for the rankings. Rick Hess is a former member of the UVA faculty.

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