Charles Henderson, Ph.D.
Director, Mallinson Institute for Science Education
Distinguished University Professor, Physics Department and Mallinson Institute for Science Education
Co-Director, Center for Research on Instructional Change in Postsecondary Education
Lead Editor, Physical Review Physics Education Research
Bio
Dr. Charles Henderson is a Distinguished Professor at Western Michigan University (WMU), with a joint appointment between the Physics Department and the WMU Mallinson Institute for Science Education. He is the Director of the Mallinson Institute and co-Founder and co-Director of the WMU Center for Research on Instructional Change in Postsecondary Education (CRICPE). His research program focuses on understanding and promoting instructional change in higher education, with an emphasis on improving undergraduate STEM instruction. Dr. Henderson’s work has been supported by nearly $11M in external grants and has resulted in many publications (see https://sites.google.com/view/chenderson). He is a Fulbright Scholar and a Fellow of the American Physical Society. Dr. Henderson is the senior editor for the journal Physical Review Physics Education Research and has served on two National Academy of Sciences Committees: Undergraduate Physics Education Research and Implementation, and Developing Indicators for Undergraduate STEM Education.
Education
University of Minnesota (2002), Ph.D. Physics Education Research Group
University of Minnesota (1994), M.S. Physics
Macalester College (1991), B.A. Math/Physics
Service and Professional Recognition (selected activities)
Fellow, American Physical Society
Senior Editor, Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research (April 2012 to present)
Member, American Physical Society Committee on Education (Jan 2023 - Dec 2025)
Member, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee on Developing Indicators for Undergraduate STEM (January 2015 - May 2018)
Secretary/Treasurer, American Physical Society Forum on Education (March 2014 to March 2020)
Member, National Research Council Committee on Undergraduate Physics Education Research and Implementation (Jan 2011 - July 2013)
WMU Emerging Scholar Award, September 2012
Editor, Physics Education Research Section, American Journal of Physics (Nov 2008 to May 2012)
Fulbright Scholar, Finnish Institute for Educational Research, University of Jyväskylä, Finland (Jan - June 2010)
President, Michigan Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers (2008-2009), officer (2006-2009)
Co-Editor, Proceedings of the Physics Education Research Conference, an annual peer reviewed volume published by the American Institute of Physics (2007-2009)
Chair, Committee on Research in Physics Education, American Association of Physics Teachers (Jan 2007-Jan 2009), member (Jan 2006-Jan 2007)
Member, Physics Education Research Leadership and Organizing Council, American Association of Physics Teachers (Jan 2007-Jan 2009)
Member, Physics Content Advisory Committee for the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (2004-2005)
Senator, Physics Department representative to the WMU Faculty Senate (Fall 2003 to present)
Teaching Experience
Western Michigan University (2002-present), Physics and Science Education
Macalester College (1996-1998, Summer 1999 & 2000, Spring 2001), Physics
International School of Minnesota (1994-1996), High School Physics & Chemistry
Anoka-Ramsey Community College (Spring, 1994), Physics
University of Minnesota, TA (1992-1994, 1998-1999, Fall 2000), Physics and Science Education
Contact Information
Charles Henderson
Mallinson Institute for Science Education
Western Michigan University
1903 West Michigan Ave.
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008-5444
(269) 387-4951