Wanja Gitari

Dr. Wanja Gitari is an associate professor of science education at the University of Toronto. She is affiliated with the Institute for the Study of University Pedagogy (at UTM) and the Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning (at OISE/UT). Professor Gitari's research investigates the relationship between certain elements of everyday knowledge of natural phenomena and the content of school science. The overall goal in her research and teaching is to inquire into and to engage with the broad problem of equity and access to academic science for students from traditionally under-represented and underachieving communities. Her courses reflect several themes that also form the basis of her research program: access and equity, global experiences of science; inclusive and effective pedagogy; and appropriation (and application) of school science in non-school contexts.