Rebecca M Taylor

Dr. Rebecca M Taylor is an Assistant Professor in the Education Policy, Organization and Leadership Department at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her research focuses on ethics and justice in educational policy and practice, using philosophically-grounded mixed methods. She co-edited Ethics in Higher Education: Promoting Equity and Inclusion through Case-Based Inquiry (Harvard Education Press, 2021), and her work has been funded by the Spencer Foundation and the Center for Ethics and Education at University of Wisconsin.

Education background includes a Ph.D. in Education from Stanford University (2014), an M.A. in Peace, Conflict, and Development Studies from Universitat Jaume I (2008), and a B.A. in Mathematics and Philosophy from Washington University in St. Louis (2006).

Her research interests span epistemic justice, ethics in higher education governance, and inclusive campus practices. Recent work examines challenges like epistemic carcerality in educational institutions and the ethical implications of AI tutors. She directs the Philosophy of Education program at Illinois and serves as Editor of Educational Theory.

Key awards include the National Academy of Education/Spencer Research Development Award (2020) and a 2022 Choice Outstanding Academic Title for her edited volume. Her scholarship bridges philosophy with policy, addressing dilemmas such as balancing free speech with inclusive campus environments and designing equitable recycling policies.