Jerome Shaw, a Senior Researcher in the Science and Engineering Content Area at WestEd, has been selected as the next president of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST). He will officially step into the role on March 20, 2024.

NARST is a global organization for improving science education through research and is the premier academic science education professional organization in the United States. With more than 1,500 members in 50 countries, both the organization and its journal—Journal for Research in Science Teaching—are highly regarded by science education researchers around the world.

In addition to serving in his position at WestEd, Shaw is Associate Professor of Science Education Emeritus at the Santa Cruz campus of the University of California (UCSC). Shaw’s work at both UCSC and WestEd and as an adviser to several science education reform efforts seeks to enhance science teaching and learning in various in- and out-of-school venues, especially for culturally and linguistically diverse students. His work at WestEd includes serving as a Co–Principal Investigator on the IES-funded Elevating Engineering for Multilingual Learners project. Shaw’s numerous accolades and appointments over the course of his career include receiving excellence in teaching awards, serving on a committee convened by the National Research Council’s Board on Science Education, and being a leading member of a team that received a U.S. Presidential Award for Excellence in STEM mentoring.

Shaw has been an active member of NARST for more than 30 years, having most recently served as secretary-treasurer. In that role, he revamped the organization’s system for recording and archiving meeting minutes, led the creation of NARST’s first investment policy statement, and facilitated the hiring of the current team of investment advisers. His vision as president is to continue to enhance NARST’s systems and activities so that the organization and its members thrive and enrich science education around the world.

“Throughout his career in science education—from teaching science in K–12 schools to molding the next generation of science educators at UCSC and beyond—Dr. Shaw has maintained a sharp focus on improving educational outcomes for students who are underserved by the educational system,” said WestEd CEO Jannelle Kubinec. “We are thrilled to see Dr. Shaw’s leadership recognized by NARST, and WestEd is confident in his ability to continue to steer NARST towards its goal of helping all learners achieve science literacy.”

Shaw served as NARST President-Elect during the 2023–2024 term and will transition to NARST Immediate Past President in March 2025.