J. Spencer Clark

Dr. Clark's research examines the intersections of curriculum theory, civic education, rural education, and the history of education, with a central focus on agency — how teachers, students, and communities navigate, resist, and shape the educational structures around them. His work spans historical and contemporary contexts, exploring how curriculum is designed, contested, and experienced across diverse settings. A significant strand of his research addresses rural education, particularly the role of technology, teacher development, and community partnership in expanding opportunity and equity for students and educators in rural schools. He also investigates the integration of emerging technologies — including virtual reality, telepresence, and AI — into K-12 and teacher education contexts. Across these areas, Dr. Clark employs a range of methodological approaches, including narrative inquiry, mixed methods, and action research, and his scholarship is closely connected to externally funded projects that translate research into meaningful practice. Dr. Clark has been recognized for his scholarly contributions, including the 2026 Outstanding Journal Article Award from ATE and Taylor & Francis. He is the author of four books, including Curriculum Theory, History, and Applications for Education (Routledge, forthcoming 2026), and has published more than 35 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. His research has been featured in Education Week and cited across multiple fields. His research is further reflected in a sustained record of external funding. As PI or lead developer, Dr. Clark has secured more than $13 million in funded grants, with an additional $16 million as co-investigator, drawing support from the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Patterson Family Foundation, among others. These projects address rural STEM education, immersive and telepresence technology, teacher resilience and professional development, and expanding educational access in underserved communities.