Benjamin Justice

Benjamin Justice is Distinguished Professor of Education at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education and an associate member of the History Department at Rutgers–New Brunswick. He holds a courtesy appointment as Senior Research Scholar at Yale Law School and serves as series editor for New Directions in History of Education at Rutgers University Press. His interdisciplinary work bridges education, history, law, and philosophy.

• Ph.D. in Education, Stanford University
• M.A. in History, Stanford University
• B.A. in History, Yale University

Dr. Justice's research focuses on the history of education, civic education, religion in public schools, and the intersection of criminal justice and curriculum theory. He explores how experiences with police, courts, and detention shape civic identity, drawing on legitimacy and curriculum theories. His work spans educational policy, democratic ideals, race, and philosophical inquiry.

His recent publications reflect a strong trend in interdisciplinary scholarship, combining historical analysis with contemporary policy critique. Key themes include school choice, settler colonialism in education, democratic civility, and the role of religion in public life. His articles appear in top journals across education, history, and social science, as well as in public forums like The Atlantic and theHumanist.com.

Dr. Justice has received numerous honors, including:

• AESA Critics Choice Book Award
• AERA Outstanding Scholarly Publication on Justice in Education Award (2025)
• National Academy of Education/Spencer Post-Doctoral Fellowship
• Russell Sage Foundation Visiting Scholar (2023–24)
• CASE Circle of Excellence Gold Award

He has held leadership roles as President of the History of Education Society (2021–2022) and member of the NAEP U.S. History Standing Committee (2011–2019). He has received multiple awards for teaching, research, and service at Rutgers. While no formal list of students is available, his collaborative works suggest mentorship and academic advising. He has led research projects supported by major foundations and institutions.

Dr. Justice is affiliated with several scholarly organizations, including the History of Education Society, American Educational Research Association, American Educational Studies Association, Legal Studies Association, and Organization of American Historians. His work continues to influence both academic and public discourse on education and democracy.