Thomas Popkewitz

Thomas Popkewitz is a Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s School of Education, specializing in the political and cultural dimensions of education. His work examines how educational knowledge shapes societal hierarchies through practices like international assessments and curriculum reforms. He has authored or edited nearly 40 books and over 300 articles, with translations in 17 languages.

His research focuses on post-WWII mobilizations of social sciences, teacher education, and the sociopolitical implications of standardized testing. He critiques international assessments (e.g., PISA) for reinforcing inequalities while advocating for historically grounded, comparative analyses.

• Research Highlights:
• Historical analysis of educational sciences and their global applications
• Critical studies of curriculum reforms in Asia, Europe, and Latin America
• Exploration of ‘phantasmagrams’ created by educational metrics

Popkewitz has received six honorary doctorates from European universities, AERA Fellowship, and Kappa Delta Pi Laureate recognition. His work bridges historical sociology, comparative education, and critical theory.

• Key Honors:
• Elected Senior Academician, Russian Academy of Education (2016)
• Lifetime Achievement Award, AERA (2008)
• Fulbright Fellowships (2000, 1999)

He teaches courses on curriculum reform, critical research paradigms, and globalizing educational knowledge. His international collaborations include studies in Southern Africa, China, and Scandinavia.