Cynthia E. Coburn

Cynthia E. Coburn is the Charles Deering McCormick Professor of Teaching Excellence at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy. Her work focuses on instructional policy, urban school reform, and research-practice partnerships. She holds a BA in Philosophy from Oberlin College, an MA in Sociology, and a PhD in Education from Stanford University. Her research explores how policies translate into classroom practices and the dynamics of district-level decision making.

Education:

• PhD in Education, Stanford University (2001)
• MA in Sociology, Stanford University (1997)
• BA in Philosophy, Oberlin College (1989)

Research Interests:

• Relationship between research and policy
• Instructional policy in urban schools
• Research-practice partnerships

Her work emphasizes bridging gaps between educational research and classroom practice, particularly in under-resourced communities.

Awards:

• Member, National Academy of Education (2020)
• American Educational Research Association Early Career Award (2011)
• Honorary Doctorate from UC Louvain (2019)
• Spencer Foundation National Fellowship (1999)

Coburn’s contributions have been recognized globally, including through her roles in international collaborations and policy advisory boards.

Advising & Grants: She has advised on projects like the DREME Network and the California Collaborative for District Reform. Her grants focus on improving educational equity through policy and practice alignment.

Labs/Teams: Active in the National Academy of Sciences Standing Committee on Scientific Communication and the NASEM Committee on the Future of Educational Research, she bridges academia and policy spheres to drive systemic change.