Research Interests
My primary research areas are philosophy of education; the ethics of communication; teaching through dialogue; and technology and education.
Awards and Honors
Outstanding Faculty Mentorship Award, College of Education, University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign (2024).
David Zola Distinguished Teaching Career Award, College of Education, University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign (2021).
Outstanding Faculty Leadership Award, University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign (2015).
Fellow, International Academy of Education (2011).
Edward William and Jane Marr Gutgsell Professorship, University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign (2009-present).
James and Helen Merritt Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Philosophy of Education (2004).
Grayce Wicall Gauthier Professorship, College of Education, University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign (2002-2007).
Distinguished Senior College Scholar, College of Education, University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign (2001).
University Scholar, University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign (1998).
Selected as a “Young Leader of the Academy,” Change magazine (1998).
Distinguished College Scholar, College of Education, University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign (1992).
Additional Campus Affiliations
Edward William and Jane Marr Gutgsell Professor Emeritus, Education Policy, Organization and Leadership
Recent Publications
Burbules, N. C. (2026). Philosophy of Education as a Form of Inquiry. In K. T. Burch, & L. A. Sassone (Eds.), Contemporary Philosophy of Education: Leading Voices from the Field (pp. 53-67). (The Cultural and Social Foundations of Education). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-10032-0_4
Burbules, N. C. (2026). Why Philosophy of Education is Basic to Philosophy. Educational Theory, 76(1), 157-163. https://doi.org/10.1111/edth.70055
Burbules, N. C. (2025). Artificial Intelligence in Education: Use it, or Refuse it? Educational Theory, 75(4), 597-602. https://doi.org/10.1111/edth.70038
Burbules, N. C. (2025). The Communicative Dimensions of Social Epistemologies. Educational Theory, 75(2), 192-207. https://doi.org/10.1111/edth.70005
Hand, M., & Burbules, N. C. (2025). Symposium Introduction: Educating Responsible Believers. Educational Theory, 75(2), 188-191. https://doi.org/10.1111/edth.70011