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Biography

Walter S. Gershon is an Associate Professor of Critical Foundations of Education and Program Coordinator for the Master’s in Urban Education and Community Studies in the Department of Early Childhood, Elementary Education & Critical Foundations. Dr. Gershon’s scholarly interests focus on questions of justice about the ways in which young people make sense, the sociocultural processes that inform their everyday sense-making, and the qualitative methods used to study those processes. Situated at the intersection of critical studies of education, sensory and sound studies, and qualitative research methodologies, Walter’s work often utilizes collaborative, cutting-edge theories and methods with disenfranchised young people to better understand their everyday interactions and experiences.

In addition to articles, book chapters, and sound/works, Dr. Gershon is editor of three books—most recently Sonic Studies in Educational Foundations: Echoes, Reverberations, Silences, Noise, co-edited with Dr. Peter Appelbaum—and two award-winning monographs: Curriculum and Students in Classrooms: Everyday Urban Education in an Era of Standardization (2019 Outstanding Book Award, Society of Professors of Education) and Sound Curriculum: Sonic Studies in Educational Theory, Method, and Practice (2018 Outstanding Book Award, Division B, American Educational Research Association). In addition to his award from Division B, Walter has also won two other awards from groups of the AERA, the 2007 Outstanding Theory Award (Narrative SIG) and the 2013 Early Career Award (Critical Issues in Curriculum and Cultural Studies SIG). Prior to his time at Rowan, Walter was an Associate Professor in the School of Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum Studies at Kent State University where he also served as LGBTQ Affiliate Faculty and Provost Associate Faculty (2014-2017).