Dr. Erin S. Palmer is a professor of chemistry and a co-chair of the chemistry department. With over 17 years of experience in chemistry education, Dr. Palmer has taught chemistry and carried out chemistry education research at the high school level and undergraduate level.
Her research examines how narrow and exclusive notions of who and what counts as “good at science” show up as barriers to equity in undergraduate general chemistry courses, and how these barriers can be undone through course redesign. In her classroom, she supports students to investigate big chemical questions in teams in ways that surface and develop students’ capability as chemical thinkers.
She holds a PhD in Science Education and a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys backpacking, swimming and cultivating mindfulness.