Julia Freeland Fisher

Julia Freeland Fisher is the Director of Education at the Clayton Christensen Institute, a position she has held since October 2015. In her role, she leads a team focused on researching the impact of disruptive innovation in both K-12 and higher education. Her work aims to transform traditional education systems into more student-centered models, emphasizing the importance of social capital and networking for students' success.12

Background and Education

Fisher holds a Bachelor's degree in Comparative Literature and Latin American Studies from Princeton University (2003-2007) and a Juris Doctor (JD) from Yale Law School (2010-2013). She has also served as an instructor at Yale, teaching a seminar on education reform.123

Research Focus

Her research interests include:

• EdTech Market: Exploring how technology can enhance educational experiences.
• Competency-Based Education: Investigating policies and practices that support personalized learning.
• Social Capital: Developing tools and practices that help students expand their networks, which she discusses in her book "Who You Know: Unlocking Innovations That Expand Students’ Networks" published in 2018.24

Fisher's work is not only academic; she actively engages with policymakers and community leaders to advocate for innovative educational reforms that cater to diverse student needs.13