St Cross Fellow receives International Recognition for Leadership in Science Education Research
Prof Sibel Erduran receiving her award at the 2026 Annual International NARST Conference in Seattle
St Cross College is delighted to congratulate Professor Sibel Erduran on receiving the 2026 Distinguished Contributions to Research Award (DCRA) from NARST, a leading international organisation for science education research.
The award recognises Professor Erduran’s outstanding contributions to research and leadership in the field, including her work across academic publications, professional organisations, and the mentoring of future generations of science education researchers.
Professor Erduran’s research has made a significant impact on the understanding of the nature of science, offering new conceptual perspectives that support and promote scientific literacy for all. Her extensive body of work includes over 130 peer-reviewed journal articles, alongside book chapters, editorials, and numerous authored and edited volumes.
Her leadership has extended across major international organisations, including elected board memberships with NARST and the International History, Philosophy and Science Teaching Group (IHPST), as well as serving as President of the European Science Education Research Association (ESERA), which has more than 2,500 members worldwide.
In her role as Editor-in-Chief of Science & Education, (the official journal of the IHPSTT) Professor Erduran led a significant rise in the journal’s standing, elevating it from Quartile 3 to Quartile 1 in the Web of Science index across both Education and History and Philosophy of Science categories.
Her research has also had a tangible impact beyond academia, contributing to the education sector through partnerships with industry and public engagement initiatives.
Reflecting on the award, Professor Erduran said:
I am honoured to receive this award from NARST which recognises the importance and impact of our research in the past three decades. The contemporary societal challenges such as climate change and environmental pollution require that regular citizens as well as scientists have sound scientific literacy as informed stakeholders in public life. In our research, we strive to enhance scientific literacy by developing understanding of how science teaching and learning can be improved. We focus on understanding the knowledge practices of scientific communities such as the use of evidence-based reasoning and applying these practices in secondary schools. I am grateful to the many colleagues, students, teachers and mentors for their contributions and support throughout the years.
St Cross warmly congratulates Professor Erduran on this well-deserved recognition of her sustained contributions to research, leadership, and education.
