Erik Jon Byker

Dr. Erik Jon Byker is a full Professor in the Department of Reading and Elementary Education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte), housed within the Cato College of Education (COED). He holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum, Teaching, and Educational Policy from Michigan State University and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Virginia. His academic roles include membership in the Honors College and leadership of initiatives like the TedXCraverRoad Countdown and the Global-ready Research and Equitable Education in Teaching (GREET) Center.

Byker’s research focuses on global citizenship education, educational technology integration, and comparative and international education. He has conducted field studies in India, Cuba, Germany, South Africa, and others, investigating how technology shapes teaching practices and student learning. His work emphasizes critical cosmopolitan theory and participatory action research, particularly through collaborations with organizations like ASER in India.

Teaching responsibilities include courses on culturally responsive pedagogy, instructional design, and social studies methods. He also supervises student teaching at Patriots STEM Elementary School and leads study abroad programs in South Africa.

Byker has received numerous awards, including the Best Dissertation Award from the South Asia SIG (2013) and multiple recognitions for teaching excellence. His community involvement includes leadership roles in professional organizations like the American Educational Research Association (AERA) and the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES).

Recent publications (2023) address global networked learning between German and U.S. students, K-12 cybersecurity practices, and inquiry-based teacher education frameworks. His work bridges international educational research with practical pedagogical innovation.