معرفی
Richard J. Light is the Carl H. Pforzheimer, Jr. Research Professor of Teaching and Learning at Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE). He has been a pivotal figure in higher education policy and assessment for decades, working with four Harvard presidents to enhance undergraduate experiences. His research focuses on higher education leadership, student assessment, and first-generation student success, particularly in educational innovation and curriculum design. Currently, Light is leading initiatives like the Forum for Excellence and Innovation in Higher Education and the Harvard Higher Education Leaders Forum.
- Education: Ph.D. in Statistics, Harvard University
His work emphasizes active learning, student engagement, and constructive faculty-student relationships. Light is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and recipient of the Stone Award and Paul Lazarsfeld Award. He has also served on influential boards including the U.S. General Accounting Office and the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education.
Scientific Awards:
- Stone Award for best book about education and society (2001)
- Paul Lazarsfeld Award for Distinguished Contributions to Scientific Practice (1991)
- Elected Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- Elected Fellow of The National Academy of Education
Light's research on higher education and teaching methods has influenced policies at Harvard and beyond. His collaborations, such as with Howard Gardner on reinventing liberal arts for the 21st century, and projects with Brown, Duke, Georgetown, and Harvard on first-generation student success, highlight his commitment to equitable education and institutional improvement. He advocates for small class sizes and student-led discussions to foster community building and academic growth.
