OCCRL Staff and Affiliates

Asif Wilson

Assistant Professor of Social Studies Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 

Dr. Wilson's research broadly explores justice-centered pedagogies in P-20 educational contexts. More specifically, his scholarship explores a) how policies and social movement organizing shape justice-centered pedagogies; b) how teachers engage in, and conceptualize, justice-centered pedagogies; and c) how students experience justice-centered educational spaces. Dr. Wilson has held positions as an elementary and middle school social studies and science teacher, as a pre-service and teacher educator, and a school administrator. He received his doctorate in curriculum and instruction, master’s in educational studies, and bachelor’s in elementary education from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Wilson is actively involved in education organizing in Chicago and holds national leadership positions with Teachers for Social Justice, People’s Education Movement, and Ethnic Studies Educators of Color.

Outside of teaching and researching, Wilson is a professional pianist and enjoys spending time with his partner, Niana, and their dog, Bella.

Education

• Ph.D., Curriculum & Instruction, University of Illinois at Chicago
• M.Ed., Educational Studies, University of Illinois at Chicago 
• B.A., Elementary Education, University of Illinois at Chicago