Emily Affolter

Emily Alicia Affolter, PhD, is the Director of the Sustainability Education PhD Program at Prescott College.1 She is a dedicated educator and researcher with a strong focus on equity and sustainability in education.

Professional Background

Dr. Affolter's work centers on several key areas:

1. Equity Pedagogy: She emphasizes culturally responsive and sustaining teaching, learning, leading, and research.1
2. Sustainability Education: As the program director, she oversees and teaches in the doctoral program, guiding students in this interdisciplinary field.12
3. STEM Education: Prior to her current role, she worked as a Senior Research Scientist and Equity Consultant at the University of Washington's Center for Evaluation & Research for STEM Equity.13

Academic Credentials

Dr. Affolter earned her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Multicultural Education from the University of Washington. She had the opportunity to work alongside Dr. Geneva Gay, the founder of culturally responsive teaching.1

Research and Expertise

Her current scholarship and facilitation efforts concentrate on:

• Culturally responsive pedagogy for educators in K-16 settings and STEM higher education
• Developing equity literacy in teaching methods, content, policy, and leadership
• Exploring and developing decolonizing, critical research practices1

Recent Engagements

Dr. Affolter has been featured in recent podcasts, sharing her insights on equity-centered teaching and educational justice. In one such episode, she discussed how education can challenge social inequalities and become a tool for liberation.2

Emily Affolter's work demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing sustainability education while prioritizing equity and cultural responsiveness in academic settings.