Kathleen Harper Winter 2025 AAPT Fellow

Winter 2025 AAPT Fellow is Kathleen A. Harper

The 2025 AAPT Fellows Awardee has been announced. AAPT Fellows are distinguished physicists, educators, administrators, and communicators who have been recognized for their contributions to the physics education community.

The 2025 Winter Fellow is Kathleen A. Harper, Associate Professor, Division of Engineering Leadership and Professional Practice, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH. Harper has been a member of AAPT since 1994 and later became a lifetime member, serving on multiple committees and task forces at the national level. Her work on behalf of the association was recognized with the Homer L. Dodge Citation for Outstanding Service to AAPT in 2015.

In Ohio, she has received more than $2M in grants for professional development of teachers and almost single-handedly guided the Modeling Instruction program in the state for over fifteen years. She also improves university instruction by mentoring graduate student TAs, and influenced high school instruction by serving on the AP Physics 2 Exam Development Committee. She has a long record of keeping university faculty and high school teachers connected.

Harper disseminates work through extensive publications. and has given many invited talks at national and local AAPT meetings, and more than two dozen workshops on problem solving at national meetings.

About the Award
The criterion for selection of Fellows is exceptional contribution to AAPT's mission, to enhance the understanding and appreciation of physics through teaching. Fellowship is a distinct honor signifying recognition by one's professional peers. Any AAPT member who has maintained an active membership for at least seven years is eligible for nomination for Fellowship. Nominations are evaluated by the AAPT Awards committee and approved by the AAPT Board of Directors.

About AAPT
AAPT is an international organization for physics educators, physicists, and industrial scientists—with members worldwide. Dedicated to enhancing the understanding and appreciation of physics through teaching, AAPT provides awards, publications, and programs that encourage teaching practical application of physics principles, support continuing professional development, and reward excellence in physics education. AAPT was founded in 1930 and is headquartered in the American Center for Physics in College Park, Maryland.