Joel Westheimer is the University Research Chair in Democracy and Education and Professor of Education at the University of Ottawa where he co-directs Democratic Dialogue, a research collaboration for inquiry into democracy, education, and society (www.democraticdialogue.com).
A former New York City public school teacher and musician, Dr. Westheimer received his PhD and MA from Stanford University (1995, 1990) and his BSE (cum laude) from Princeton University (1986). Westheimer teaches and writes on democracy, social justice, youth activism, service learning and community. He is author of the book Among Schoolteachers (Teachers College Press, 1998) and publishes widely in newspapers, magazines and education journals. He is writing a new book on what schools and colleges can do to renew democracy in North America (co-authored with Joseph Kahne).
Dr. Westheimer lectures nationally and internationally on democracy and education, service learning, and academic freedom. He addresses radio and television audiences on shows such as Good Morning America, More to Life, NBC TV News and CBC radio. He lives with his wife, seven-year-old daughter, and 2 ½ year old son in Ottawa where, in winter, he ice-skates to and from work.
Listen to Dr. Joel Westheimer, an expert on Experiential Education, address the Canadian Association of Community-Service Learning, at its regional conference in British Columbia, on June 17, 2005.
