Kenneth J. Saltman

Kenneth J. Saltman is a Professor of Educational Policy Studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), within the College of Education. His work critically examines neoliberal privatization in education, corporate influence on schooling, and the intersection of technology, policy, and democracy. He holds a PhD in Curriculum & Instruction from Pennsylvania State University (1999), an MS from the same institution (1995), and a BA in Philosophy from McGill University (1991).

His research focuses on how corporate entities, philanthropy, and financial innovation (e.g., impact investing) undermine public education through privatization and technological control. Key themes include the militarization of schools, disaster capitalism, and the erosion of democratic values in education. Saltman is a Fellow of the National Educational Policy Center and a Fulbright Chair in Globalization and Culture.

Recent publications include *The Alienation of Fact* (2022), which critiques the misuse of data and bodies in education, and *Scripted Bodies* (2016), analyzing corporeal control via technologies like adaptive learning software. His work also addresses conspiracy theories and the privatization of cultural politics. He has been critical of ventures like the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation’s corporate-driven reforms and the proliferation of Pay for Success bonds in education finance.

Saltman’s advocacy includes defending public education against neoliberal encroachment, emphasizing radical pedagogy, and promoting global movements for educational equity. His writings span books, journal articles, and policy critiques, reflecting a commitment to social justice and democratic schooling.