Biography

Julia Clark has a distinguished record as a scholar, educator, and administrator. She has published research in both science and education on a wide assortment of topics including cognitive development, science curriculum, epidemiology, women and minorities in science and leadership development. Her latest book published by Springer is titled: Closing the Achievement Gap from an International Perspective: Transforming STEM for Effective Education. In this book, in which she wrote three chapters and serves as Editor, chapters were written by 8 professionals discussing the Achievement Gap in their country. The countries include: Canada, Mexico, Brazil, England, Turkey, China, Korea, and Singapore. Chapters were also written by the Achievement Gap in Australia and South Africa. She has also written another book titled, “Redirecting Science Education: Reform for a Culturally Diverse Classroom.” Both books have received national recognition. She has shared her expertise with audiences around the world as a speaker, seminar and workshop leader. Clark has received several honors and awards over her career. She has received the National Science Foundation Director's Award for Distinguished Service, Distinguished Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of Georgia (where she received her Master's degree' Elected for Membership in the Intellectual Prestigious Cosmos Club. She was elected based on her accomplishments and achievement in science education. She has been named American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow in Science Education, W.K. Kellogg National Fellow, and has received the Outstanding Achievement in Government Award in Science and Technology; the Exceptional Women in Science and Technology Award, the Lily Foundation Award, the Distinguished Alumni Award, and the Outstanding Young Women of America Award. Prior to going to the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 1990, she was a tenured associate professor of science education at Texas A&M University. She has also been a faculty member at Howard University, Clark Atlanta University, Albany State University and Morris Brown College. She has been a visiting professor at Memorial University in Newfoundland, Canada, the University of Maryland-College Park and George Mason University. She received her doctorate in science education from Rutgers University, her master's in science education from UGA and her bachelor's in natural science from Fort Valley State University. She did additional graduate studies in environmental science at Yale University, in radiation biology at the University of California-Berkeley, and in chemistry and biology at Emory University. Clark has also served on several national boards and committees including: Chair, National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) Early Career Research Award (2015-2017);AAAS Education Committee (2003-2006); Advisory Committee for Student Science Enrichment Program of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund; Editorial board of the Journal of College Science Teaching; advisory board, education and instructional technology, Public Service Satellite Consortium; National Technical Advisory Board, National Urban Coalition; Women Equity Action League; and Board of Directors, Consortium of Southern Colleges for Teacher Education. She is also a Member of Sigma XI The Scientific Society (served on the education and equity committees) and American Association of University Women (AAUW)