Joel Westheimer, University of Ottawa
Education
Professor
Ottawa, Ontario
joelw@uottawa.ca
Office:
(613) 562-5800 ext. 4161
Expert In
Bio/Research
A Professor with the Faculty of Education and co-director of Democratic Dialogue, Prof. Westheimer has been struggling with the concept of democracy in schools since he was a student at Stanford. Considered to have gone deeper and broader than any other research on this topic, Westheimer has foun...
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Bio/Research
A Professor with the Faculty of Education and co-director of Democratic Dialogue, Prof. Westheimer has been struggling with the concept of democracy in schools since he was a student at Stanford. Considered to have gone deeper and broader than any other research on this topic, Westheimer has found ways to connect to the theoretical literature while rooting his work in educational practice. His concern about how to teach democratic values while continuing to clarify what people mean by democracy is a significant contribution both to research and to our broader understanding of democratic values.
By allowing him to study the school practices that reflect distinct notions of democracy and citizenship, the University Research Chair will significantly accelerate Prof. Westheimer’s ability to answer fundamental questions about our society and the values that guide us. What does “good” citizenship mean in contemporary democracies? What role can schools play in educating citizens able and willing to participate effectively in democratic life? His research will further our understanding of the obstacles and opportunities to pursuing these goals and to addressing the social and cultural challenges that Canadian democracy now faces.
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By allowing him to study the school practices that reflect distinct notions of democracy and citizenship, the University Research Chair will significantly accelerate Prof. Westheimer’s ability to answer fundamental questions about our society and the values that guide us. What does “good” citizenship mean in contemporary democracies? What role can schools play in educating citizens able and willing to participate effectively in democratic life? His research will further our understanding of the obstacles and opportunities to pursuing these goals and to addressing the social and cultural challenges that Canadian democracy now faces.
Click to Shrink <<