NARST, A Global Organization for Improving Science Education through Research, has named Julie Bianchini of UC Santa Barbara’s Gevirtz School a 2023 NARST Fellow. This honor recognizes Dr. Bianchini’s significant professional accomplishments as a science education researcher and her exceptional and long-time service to the NARST society.
Bianchini’s scholarship centers equity, diversity, and the support of multilingual learners in STEM education. Her research has not only enhanced the field’s theoretical and empirical understanding of these issues, but has also contributed concrete and practical guidance for prospective and practicing teachers, teacher educators, and researchers to center these issues in their practice. Specific features of her contribution include (a) persistent inquiry into the intersection of teacher education, equity, diversity, and reform-based teaching, (b) over 20 years of service to and leadership in NARST as co-chair, board member, reviewer, and mentor, and (c) serving as a lead editor of the influential volume Moving the Equity Agenda Forward. Bianchini’s outstanding contributions to NARST and to the field, her excellent leadership and service, and her unwavering commitment to equity position her to be ideally deserving of this fellowship.
The NARST Fellows Program was established in 2021 to honor and recognize members for their exceptional contribution to, and excellence in, research and service to the NARST community. The goal of the Fellows program is to create cohorts of scholars that would contribute toward fostering a sense of pride and community in the NARST organization. The Fellows Program highlights and celebrates the epistemological, geographic, racial, linguistic, gender, and other diversity of the accomplished scholars representing a range of research traditions, along with their presence and commitment to advancing the mission of NARST.
Julie Bianchini is a Professor of Science Education and Faculty Director of CalTeach/Science and Mathematics Initiative in the Department of Education. Bianchini’s research investigates ways to make science education accessible, interesting, and understandable to all students. More specifically, she examines issues related to equity and diversity, teacher education and professional development, and the teaching and learning of science to multilingual learners in secondary science education. She also has expertise in curriculum development and groupwork instruction.