August 02, 2012

Terri Wilson earns postdoctoral fellowship

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University Carbondale faculty member Terri Wilson recently earned selection as a 2012 National Academy of Education/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellow.

Wilson is an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Administration and Higher Education in the College of Education and Human Services. The National Academy of Education/Spencer Doctoral Fellowship Program provides support for early career scholars in important areas of education research through nonresidential postdoctoral fellowship awards. Wilson is one of a select group of 20 scholars to receive the 2012 award.

The fellowship provides a $55,000 grant covering time away from teaching and administrative duties for one year or on a part-time basis for two years to pursue research. Fellows also participate in professional development activities, enhancing their careers.

Wilson's fellowship research project is entitled "Rethinking Public and Private: Parents and Distinctive Schools of Choice." Her work will explore how to balance family interests in choosing distinctive schools against arguments in favor of a common, integrated school system.

Wilson studies the philosophical foundations of education policy and politics. Her research interests include school choice, charter school reform, parental involvement and the connections between schools and communities, as well as how charter schools cause people to reconsider their understanding of schools as public places.

Wilson earned her doctorate in philosophy and education at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York. She also holds a bachelor's of individualized study degree in philosophy, political science and education policy from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

At SIU Carbondale, Wilson teaches a variety of courses dealing with education, qualitative research and the philosophical and cultural foundations of education. She has numerous peer-reviewed publications to her credit as well.