Edward J. Brantmeier, Ph.D.

Education

• B.A.- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
• M.S. in Comparative and International Education - Indiana University-Bloomington
• Ph. D. in History, Philosophy, Education Policy Studies- Indiana University-Bloomington

Biography

Edward J. Brantmeier is a Professor in the Learning, Technology, and Leadership Education Department at James Madison University. He has worked in teacher education and/or educational leadership preparation for over twenty years and formerly worked with university faculty as an educational developer for eleven years in his leadership role as the Assistant Director of Scholarship Programs for JMU’s Center for Faculty Innovation. Ed has taught multicultural education, cross-cultural education, foundations of education, and peace education courses at the undergraduate and graduate level. Ed is passionate about transformative education in k-20 contexts that involves: education for sustainability; cultural competence; contemplative practices; equity, inclusion, and diversity; peace and justice; course re/design; and critical theoretical approaches. He has guest lectured and/or presented research on some of these topics at multiple universities in several countries, including: India, Nepal, Brazil, England, Austria, Canada, Germany, Finland, Cyprus, Nigeria (virtual), and Kosovo.

In 2003, Edward was honored with an Outstanding Associate Instructor Award at the School of Education at Indiana University-Bloomington. In 2009, he was a Fulbright-Nehru lecturing scholar in peace studies at the Malaviya Centre for Peace Research at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, India. In 2015, Ed was named James Madison University Best Professor in the “Best of the Burg” competition hosted annually by the student newspaper, The Breeze. Ed has published research on peace education, multicultural education, sustainability education, and university faculty development. His books include: Culturally Competent Engagement: A Mindful Approach (2020); Pedagogy of Vulnerability (2020); Re-envisioning Higher Education: Embodied Paths to Wisdom and Social Transformation (2013); Spirituality, Religion and Peace Education (2010); 147 Tips for Teaching Peace and Reconciliation (2009), and Transforming Education for Peace (2008). He was a founding co-editor of a book series on peace education with Information Age Publishing. He serves on the editorial board of Infactis Pax: Journal of Peace Education and Social Justice. He is the editor of the Journal of Peace Education.

Ed’s current research interests include exploring sustainable peace leadership topics. How can formal and informal educational spaces cultivate social equity, planetary stewardship, and sustainable growth and development? Through ecological and socio-cultural lenses, Ed aims to contribute to holistic education processes and outcomes that promote sustainable peace on the planet. In general, Ed is interested in teaching and learning inquiry, namely, exploring promising approaches to transformative learning and teaching in formal and informal K-20 education contexts.

Formerly, Edward was faculty at Saint Louis University (2005-2007) and at Colorado State University (2007-2011) where he was actively engaged in university-wide diversity committees and programs as well as peace and reconciliation studies initiatives. Outside of work, Edward enjoys precious time with his family, nature immersion, gardening, and global fusion music.

Courses Taught

• EDUC 525: Cross-Cultural Education
• EDUC 620: Changing Contexts of American Schools
• HONORS 300: Inclusive Leadership for Sustainable Peace

Courses Taught as a Visiting Lecturer (Masters Level)

• Peace Education
• Contemplative Leadership for Sustainable Peace
• Conflict Management and Development