The world is changing more rapidly than ever, and in this confusing and sometimes contentious time, society needs people who are working to steer and shape that change in positive and productive ways.
We know the best kind of change requires the best research, faculty, students, staff, and resources.
SESP brings together a wide range of disciplines – psychology, economics, computer science, the law, and more – along with many modes of inquiry, to study everything from tiny infants to massive organizations. Our pathbreaking faculty help guide the next generation of leaders, and, together with students, staff, and alumni, shape the practice and the implementation of innovation across the nation and the world.
For nearly 100 years, Northwestern's school of education has been driving innovation in the fields of education, learning sciences, human development, social policy, and learning and organizational change.
The Power of Learning
We are skilled thinkers and skilled doers. Our deep, complex, and multifaceted work and research lead to life-changing discoveries with real impact. And our unique environment – our place, next to the greatest Great Lake – provides an essential teaching partner. Here, we consider our rights and responsibilities, the individual and the collective, and what it means to engage in civics and our community.
Our Commitments
SESP is committed to building thriving and sustainable communities that nurture individual and collective well-being and affirm justice in the world.
How we build and support a vibrant intellectual community
At SESP, we welcome everyone. We work to foster a deep sense of belonging, in part by listening to ideas and beliefs from a wide variety of perspectives. As a school of learning, leadership, and policy, we value dialogue, respect, and fairness in all our interactions.
- We help students learn and take action to create a fair and better future.
A key aspect of our work involves understanding and challenging the ideological roots and ongoing practices of systems and our participation in them. - We support people, programs, and partnerships that bring different perspectives together.
We embrace multiple ways of knowing and being to enrich our collective endeavors, build knowledge, and spark positive change. - We create purposeful lessons, research, and community activities to achieve these goals.
Through learning, teaching, teamwork, and personal connections, we help build a community that builds on backgrounds and experiences.
The Northwestern Difference
Northwestern is a comprehensive research university that is deeply interdisciplinary across multiple schools and units. Our rigorous yet empathetic academic environment provides a robust mixture of theory and practice, with an emphasis on top-tier research, new knowledge, creative expression, and practical application. If you are at Northwestern, you are part of an innovative, collaborative, and multidimensional community delivering an impact that is rare in higher education.
