Douglas Medin

Douglas Medin (Ph.D., University of South Dakota) taught at The Rockefeller University, University of Illinois, and the University of Michigan before assuming his current position as Professor of Psychology and Professor of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University. Best known for his research on concepts and categorization, his recent research interests have focused on culture and cognition in general and the role of culture and experience in children’s development of biological concepts in particular. This latter work has led to studies of culturally- and community-based science education with Native American children. He teaches courses in decision making, culture and cognition, and non-laboratory research methods. He is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences.