Dr. Joel Westheimer

Biography

Joel Westheimer is a Full Professor at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Education, where he also serves as a University Research Chair in Democracy Education and is an education columnist for CBC Radio's Ottawa Morning show. An elected fellow of the U.S. National Academy of Education and the American Educational Research Association, he has received numerous accolades, including the Canadian Education Association's Whitworth Award and the Knight Fellow for Civic Engagement in Higher Education. With a PhD from Stanford University and a BSE from Princeton University, Westheimer is the co-founder and executive director of Democratic Dialogue, a research collaborative focused on critically exploring democratic ideals in education and society. He has authored several influential books, including "Kind Citizen? Educating Children for the Common Good" and "Pledging Allegiance: The Politics of Patriotism in America's Schools." His work is widely published across various media and academic journals and has been featured on prominent platforms such as Good Morning America and NPR. Originally from New York City, he has taught at Stanford University and New York University before relocating to Ottawa with his family, where he enjoys winter activities like ice-skating.

Research Interests

Experience