Phyllis C. Blumenfeld, Ph.D., professor of education, School of Education, retired from active faculty status on December 31, 2010.

Professor Blumenfeld received her B.A. degree from Brown University in 1968 and her Ph.D. degree from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1973. She joined the University of Michigan faculty as a lecturer in 1972, and was promoted to assistant professor in 1974, associate professor in 1978, and professor in 1987.

Professor Blumenfeld taught in the Combined Program in Education and Psychology. Her research focused on the influence of teacher behavior and classroom tasks on student motivation. Professor Blumenfeld's work on socialization in schools explored the relationship between classroom management, norms, expectations, and a student's sense of responsibility for learning. Her research on student engagement in urban areas revealed that student disengagement with school starts very early and is strongly influenced by instructional practices and policies. She also investigated the impact of curriculum design and inquiry instruction on student motivation and achievement in science.

Professor Blumenfeld's research was funded by grants from the National Science Foundation and the Spencer Foundations. She published widely, including articles in the American Education Research Journal, Educational Researcher, Journal of Educational Psychology, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, and Journal of Learning Sciences. She has published numerous book and handbook chapters on science education, developmental psychology, education psychology, and learning sciences.

The Regents now salute this distinguished faculty member by naming Phyllis C. Blumenfeld professor emerita of education.