Lauren Harris
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Coor Hall - SHPRS 4th floor Tempe, AZ 85287
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Mail code: 3151Campus: Tempe
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Lauren McArthur Harris is a professor of history education with a joint appointment the School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies and the Mary Lou Fulton College of Teaching and Learning Innovation. Her work focuses on representations of history in curricular resources and investigates how teachers teach history in schools. Dr. Harris is a former ninth grade world history teacher in Arlington, VA. Harris is an associate editor for the journal Education Policy Analysis Archives and serves on the editorial board of Theory and Research in Social Education. She is co-editor of the Wiley International Handbook of History Teaching and Learning (Wiley Blackwell, 2018) and the award-winning Teaching Difficult Histories in Difficult Times: Stories of Practice (Teachers College Press, 2022).
Dr. Harris is principal investigator and director of the $1.6 million Project ACCLaIM: Advancing Civics Curriculum Learning through Instructional Microcredentials, funded by the U.S. Department of Education (Co-PI, Dr. Leanna Archambault). Working with colleagues from ASU's Cronkite School of Journalism, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, and the School of Historical, Philosophical, and Religious Studies, the project is developing professional learning courses and microcredentials in the areas of historical reasoning, civic reasoning, and media literacy.
- Ph.D. Educational Studies, University of Michigan
- M.Ed. Secondary Social Studies Education, George Mason University
- B.A.. History, Colorado College
Guiding Research Questions:
- How do curricular resources represent history content and pedagogies?
- How do history teachers make decisions about what to teach in an increasingly interconnected world?
- In what ways do teachers plan for and teach "difficult histories"?
Dr. Harris recently co-edited (with Maia Sheppard and Sara A. Levy) a book on the teaching of difficult histories. In Teaching Difficult Histories in Difficult Times: Stories of Practice, practitioners’ (K-12 teachers and museum educators) voices and classrooms are at the center of the chapters, providing readers with a rare picture of how teachers plan for, teach, and reflect on difficult histories. Chapter topics include teaching about 9/11, genocide and mass atrocities, racial violence, Black history, Indigenous resistance, immigration, and criminal justice reform. The book won a 2024 Outstanding Book Award from the Society of Professors of Education.
Selected Publications
Note: If you cannot access an article and would like a copy, please email me
Harris, L. M., Kidd, T. V., Rodriguez-Fransen, B., & Thompson, V. E. (2025). Teacher candidates’ perceptions of individual and collective virtual reality experiences for teaching history. The History Teacher, 58(4), 473-496. https://www.societyforhistoryeducation.org/pdfs/A25_Harris_et_al.pdf
Harris, L. M., Martell, C. C., *Curren, J., *Lee, J. (2024) “I was in the room where it happens”: Social studies state standards committees and educator agency. Theory & Research in Social Education, 52(2), 163-189. https://doi.org/10.1080/00933104.2023.2226655
Harris, L. M., Archambault, L., & Shelton, C. (2023). Issues of quality on Teachers Pay Teachers: An exploration of best-selling U.S. history resources. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 55(4), 608-627. https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2021.2014373
Harris, L. M. & Girard, B. (2023). Seeing standards as educative: Guidance for the analysis and design of state world history standards. World History Connected, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.13021/whc.v20i1.3522
Harris, L. M., Sheppard, M., & Levy, S. (Eds.). (2022). Teaching difficult histories in difficult times: Stories of practice. Teachers College Press. https://www.tcpress.com/teaching-difficult-histories-in-difficult-times-9780807766446
Kessner, T. & Harris, L. M. (2022). Opportunities to practice historical thinking and reasoning in a made-for-school history-oriented videogame. Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, 34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcci.2022.100545
Halvorsen, A-L., Harris, L. M., Doornbos, L., & MIssias, M. T. (2021). Lesson study in historical inquiry. Teachers working across rural communities. Teaching and Teacher Education, 97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2020.103206
Girard, B., Harris, L. M., Mayger, L., *Kessner, T., & *Reid, S. F (2021). “There’s no way we can teach all of this”: Factors that influence secondary history teachers’ content choices. Theory & Research in Social Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/00933104.2020.1855280
Reid, S. F., Kessner, T., Harris, L. M., Benkert, V., & Bruner, J. (2021). Comparative genocide pedagogy and survivor testimony: Lessons from a unit on the Holocaust and the Rwandan Genocide. The History Teacher, 54(2), 297-235. http://societyforhistoryeducation.org/pdfs/F21_Reid_et_al.pdf
Harris, L. M., & Girard, B. (2020). Evaluating the support of teacher choice in state history standards. The History Teacher, 43(4), 613-633. http://www.societyforhistoryeducation.org/pdfs/A20_Harris_and_Girard.pdf
Lee, M. & Harris, L. M. (2020). Teachers’ organization of world history in South Korea: Challenges and opportunities for curriculum and practice. Journal of Social Studies Research, 44, 339-354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssr.2020.05.002
Harris, L. M., Reid, S. F., Benkert, V., & Bruner, J. (2019). Investigating comparative genocide teaching in two high school classrooms. Theory & Research in Social Education, 47(4), 497-525. https://doi.org/10.1080/00933104.2019.1635058
Halvorsen, A., Harris, L. M., & Doornbos, L., Missias, M.T. (2019). Community in context: Professional development for teaching historical inquiry. Teacher Education Quarterly, 42(2), 81-113.
Metzger, S. A. & Harris, L. M. (Eds.). (2018). Wiley international handbook of history teaching and learning. West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Website
Girard, B. & Harris, L. M. (2018). Global and world history education. In Metzger, S.A. & Harris, L.M. (Eds.), Wiley international handbook of history teaching and learning. West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Harris, L. M. (2017). Six degrees of the Mongol Empire: Using thought experiments to prepare world history teachers. The History Teacher, 50(3). 381-401. http://www.societyforhistoryeducation.org/pdfs/M17_Harris.pdf
Harris, L. M., Shreiner, T. L., & *Hoelting, M. (2017). Examining an ambitious world history teacher’s knowledge for planning. Journal of Social Studies Research, 41(2). 117-130. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jssr.2016.08.003
Harris, L. M., Hutchinson, M., Benkert, V., Bruner, J., Lundin, A. E. (2017). Teaching, learning, and researching genocide comparatively. World History Connected, 14(2). Available: http://worldhistoryconnected.press.illinois.edu/14.2/forum_bruner.html
Bruner, J., Benkert, V., Harris, L. M., Hutchinson, M., & Lundin, A. E. (2017). Developing a critical comparative genocide method. World History Connected, 14(2). Available: http://worldhistoryconnected.press.illinois.edu/14.2/forum_harris.html
Harris, L. M., Halvorsen, A., & *Aponte-Martinez, G. J. (2016). "[My] family has gone through that": How high school students determine the trustworthiness of historical documents. Journal of Social Studies Research, 40(2), 109-121. http://dx.doi:10.1016/j.jssr.2015.06.007
Halvorsen, A., Harris, L. M., Aponte-Martinez, G. J., & Frasier, A. (2016). Does students’ heritage matter in their performance on and perceptions of historical reasoning tasks? Journal of Curriculum Studies, 48(4), 457-478. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00220272.2015.1092585
Hutchinson, M.J., & Harris, L. M. (2016). Listening for history: Using jazz music as a primary source. Social Education, 80(3), 134-140.
Harris, L. M. (2014). Making connections for themselves and their students: Examining teachers’ organization of world history. Theory and Research in Social Education, 42(3), 336-374. DOI: 10.1080/00933104.2014.937547. http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/WYAwubfyrC5pWEjy9MBg/fu
Harris, L. M., & Girard, B. (2014). Instructional significance for teaching history: A preliminary framework. Journal of Social Studies Research, 38(4), 215-225.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jssr.2014.02.003
Harris, L. M., & Shreiner, T. L. (2014). Why can’t we just look it up? Using concept formation lessons to teach global patterns and local cases in world history. World History Connected, 11(2). Available: http://worldhistoryconnected.press.illinois.edu/11.2/harris.html
Girard, B., & Harris, L. M. (2013). Considering world history as a space for developing global citizenship competencies. The Educational Forum, 77(4), 438-449. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00131725.2013.822042
Harris, L. M. (2012). Conceptual devices in the work of world historians. Cognition and Instruction, 30(4), 312-358. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07370008.2012.716884
Girard, B., & Harris, L. M. (2012). Striving for disciplinary literacy instruction: Cognitive tools in a world history course. Theory and Research in Social Education, 40(3), 230-259. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00933104.2012.705183
Harris, L. M., & Bain, R. B. (2011). Pedagogical content knowledge for world history teachers: What is it? How might prospective teachers develop it? The Social Studies, 102(1), 9-17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00377996.2011.532724
Harris, L. M., & Hamilton, S. (2009). “Challenges and opportunities: Reflections on teaching big history discussion sections,” World History Connected, 6(3). Available: http://worldhistoryconnected.press.illinois.edu/6.3/hamilton.html
Courses
2025 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| DCI 792 | Research |
| EPA 792 | Research |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
| DCI 799 | Dissertation |
| HST 580 | Practicum |
2025 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| DCI 792 | Research |
| HST 493 | Honors Thesis |
2024 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| DCI 792 | Research |
| EPA 792 | Research |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
| HST 580 | Practicum |
2024 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| DCI 792 | Research |
2023 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| DCI 792 | Research |
| EPA 792 | Research |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
| SED 514 | Methods Teaching Sec Soc Sci |
| SED 514 | Methods Teaching Sec Soc Sci |
| HST 580 | Practicum |
2023 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| SED 514 | Methods Teaching Sec Soc Sci |
| SED 514 | Methods Teaching Sec Soc Sci |
2023 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| HST 480 | Mthd Tch Hist: Clsrm Resources |
| SED 514 | Methods Teaching Sec Soc Sci |
| SED 514 | Methods Teaching Sec Soc Sci |
2022 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| HST 480 | Mthd Tch Hist: Clsrm Resources |
| DCI 792 | Research |
| EPA 792 | Research |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
2022 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| HST 480 | Mthd Tch Hist: Clsrm Resources |
| TEL 799 | Dissertation |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 710 | Innov Disseminating Res |
| TEL 710 | Innov Disseminating Res |
2021 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| HST 480 | Mthd Tch Hist: Clsrm Resources |
| DCI 792 | Research |
| EPA 792 | Research |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
| DCI 799 | Dissertation |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 799 | Dissertation |
| TEL 710 | Innov Disseminating Res |
| TEL 710 | Innov Disseminating Res |
2021 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 710 | Innov Disseminating Res |
| TEL 710 | Innov Disseminating Res |
| TEL 710 | Innov Disseminating Res |
| TEL 710 | Innov Disseminating Res |
2021 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| DCI 799 | Dissertation |
| TEL 792 | Research |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 780 | Practicum |
| TEL 710 | Innov Disseminating Res |
| TEL 710 | Innov Disseminating Res |
2020 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| HST 480 | Mthd Tch Hist: Clsrm Resources |
| DCI 792 | Research |
| EPA 792 | Research |
| DCI 790 | Reading and Conference |
| DCI 799 | Dissertation |
| TEL 792 | Research |
2024 National Technology Leadership Initiative (NTLI) Fellowship Award for exemplary research related to technology in social studies education, College and University Assembly of the National Council for the Social Studies
2024 Outstanding Book Award for Teaching Difficult History in Difficult Times: Stories of Practice (Teachers College Press). The Society of Professors of Education.
2020 National Technology Leadership Initiative (NTLI) Fellowship Award for exemplary research related to technology in social studies education, College and University Assembly of the National Council for the Social Studies
2016-2017 Faculty Fellow, Lincoln Center for Applied Ethics: Comparative Genocide Testimony Project. Arizona State University
2014 Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College Faculty Achievement Award: Promising Research Scholar, Arizona State University
Associate Editor, Education Policy Analysis Archives (2017-present) http://epaa.asu.edu/ojs/
Editorial Board, Theory & Research in Social Education (2016-present) http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/utrs20
American Educational Research Association (Division K; Teaching History SIG; Social Studies Research SIG), Arizona Council for History Education, Arizona Council for the Social Studies, National Council for History Education, National Council for the Social Studies: College and University Faculty Assembly, Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society, Society for History Education
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College
School of Historical, Philosophical, and Religious Studies
(Selected)
2024-2026 Secretary/Treasurer, Social Studies Research Special Interest Group (SIG), American Educational Research Association (AERA)
2023-2025 Member, Curriculum and Academic Programs Committee (CAPC). Arizona State University.
2015-present National Advisory Board Member, The Society for History Education
2011-present Course Coordinator, Special Methods in Teaching Social Studies (SED 480) and Methods of Teaching Social Studies in Secondary Schools (SED 494). Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University.
2018-2019 Lead Strategist, Secondary Education Program, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University
2012-2018 Board Member, Arizona Council for History Education.
2017-2018 Chair, Curriculum Committee, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University
2015-2016 Secretary/Treasurer, AERA Teaching History Special Interest Group (SIG)
2014-2015 Chair, AERA Teaching History Special Interest Group (SIG)
2014-2015 Member, Social Studies Search Committee. Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University.
2013-2015 Selection Committee Member, National Council for the Social Studies Grant for the Enhancement of Geographic Literacy
2013-2014 Program Chair, AERA Teaching History Special Interest Group (SIG)
2012-2014 Representative, National Council for the Social Studies House of Delegates, CUFA representative.