Physicist named senior editor of prestigious journal

Contact: Jeanne Baron

Henderson

KALAMAZOO--Dr. Charles Henderson, associate professor of physics and science education at Western Michigan University, has been appointed senior editor of the journal Physical Review Special Topics-Physics Education Research.

This is the top international journal in the field of physics education research. It is part of a series of 11 physical review journals run by the American Physical Society, the largest international professional society for physicists. The physical review journals are among the most prestigious international journals for the publication of physics research.

Charles Henderson

Henderson came to WMU in 2002 and is on the faculty of both the physics department and the Mallinson Institute for Science Education. He has been editor of the Physics Education Research Section of the American Journal of Physics since fall 2008.

His research pertains to the teaching and learning of physics, and much of his current work focuses on the development of theories and strategies for promoting change in the teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics--STEM--subjects. This includes issues related to the diffusion and adoption of research-based instructional strategies.

He earned a bachelor's degree from Macalester College in 1991, and master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Minnesota in 1994 and 2002, respectively.