Every student who passes through a physics or math classroom — not just those headed for STEM careers — deserves to learn what science actually is, how knowledge gets made and contested, and how to think clearly with evidence. My courses are built on that conviction.
My approach to teaching is informed by decades of educational research and a core belief: science literacy is not optional, and it is not only for future scientists. Every student needs to understand what science is and what scientists actually do, because those tools serve them in any career — and because a functioning democracy requires a populace that can assess claims, engage in fact-based dialogue, exercise appropriate skepticism, and interpret data effectively.
That commitment shapes how I design every course I teach. I draw heavily on the Idealized Science Framework — a research-informed model my colleagues and I have developed at the Idealized Science Institute — which centers the actual practices of science and mathematics: how questions get framed, how evidence is gathered and evaluated, how disagreement is resolved, and how knowledge evolves.
In practice, this means students in my courses don't just solve problem sets — they argue, model, write, and revise. They encounter not just the polished results in their textbooks but the messy, contested process that produced them.
My classroom is open to every student — regardless of background, identity, prior preparation, or career path. I take my obligation to inclusive teaching seriously, and I work to make sure that students who have historically been underrepresented in physics and mathematics know that they belong here. If you are a URI student curious about quantum physics, mathematics, or science more broadly — whether you've taken three courses or none — I want to hear from you. Come to office hours. Send me an email. Ask the question you think is too basic. It almost certainly isn't.
I welcome questions about my courses, office hours, syllabi, and research opportunities. URI students considering quantum physics or mathematical research are especially encouraged to be in touch.
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