UVA Has 5% of Education Scholars Ranked as 'Most Influential'

Edu Scholars Awards 2023
Four Batten School faculty members affiliated with the EdPolicyWorks research center once again placed in the national rankings of influential education scholars. (Photo by Sanjay Suchak, University Communications)

Ten University of Virginia professors, four of whom are faculty members at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, are among 200 named in the 2023 Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings, making UVA home to 5% of the nation’s most influential education scholars for the first time since 2015.

The annual rankings were published Thursday in the Education Week blog, “Rick Hess Straight Up,” which identifies the 200 university-based faculty members across the country “who had the biggest influence on educational practice and policy.”

Daniel Willingham, professor of psychology in the UVA College of Arts & Sciences whose work focuses on cognitive psychology and education, was the highest-ranking UVA scholar as he climbed one spot to No. 10 this year.

Carol Tomlinson, professor emerita of the UVA School of Education and Human Development, held on to the No. 12 spot for the second consecutive year. Tomlinson is a world-renowned expert on differentiated instruction, the way a teacher structures lessons to effectively teach students who range widely in proficiency.

Closing out the UVA representatives in the top 100 is Bob Pianta, Batten Bicentennial Professor of Early Childhood Education and former dean of the Education School. He is ranked No. 55 this year.

Others who have placed in the national rankings for many consecutive years include four scholars affiliated with the EdPolicyWorks research center. Professor of Economics and Education Sarah Turner ranked No. 126 in the 2023 rankings. Jim Wyckoff, professor and founding director of EdPolicyWorks, rose two spots to No. 157. Daphna Bassok, the Batten Bicentennial Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education and associate director of EdPolicyWorks, landed at No. 178. Ben Castleman, the Newton and Rita Meyers Associate Professor in the Economics of Education and director of the Nudge4 Solutions Lab, climbed two spots to No. 179.

EdPolicyWorks is a collaboration between the School of Education and Human Development and the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy.

Returning to the rankings for the third consecutive year is Derrick Alridge, the Philip J. Gibson Professor of Education and director of the Center for Race and Public Education in the South. He is ranked No. 192.

Related Content

Daphna Bassok

Benjamin Castleman

Garrett Hall at Sunset

Stay Up To Date with the Latest Batten News and Events