Rosemary Russ

Rosemary Russ is an Associate Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Education. Her work focuses on equitable science education, epistemological dynamics, and the intersection of education with systemic inequities. She holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Maryland (2006) and a BS in Physics, Applied Mathematics, and Statistics from North Carolina State University (2002).

Dr. Russ’ research examines how knowledge is constructed and validated in diverse educational contexts, particularly through the lens of epistemic authority and epistemic injustice. She has explored teacher-student interactions in science education, the design of learning environments for pre-service teachers, and the role of education programs in carceral systems. Her work with EXPO (Ex-Incarcerated People Organizing) and Dane County Jail tutoring emphasizes disrupting systemic inequities through education.

Her articles analyze sensemaking processes, teacher noticing, and epistemological framing in STEM education. Key themes include the theoretical clarity of sensemaking, epistemological models in teaching, and the integration of equity into science curricula. Funded by the NSF and Spencer Foundation, her research bridges physics education, learning sciences, and social justice.

Russ has advised multiple collaborative grants and co-authored influential papers on frameworks such as 'Invented Science' and the 'Sensemaking Epistemic Game.' Her work highlights interdisciplinary approaches to understanding how knowledge is negotiated in classrooms and communities.