ASU Regents Professor Steve Graham elected to National Academy of Education

Steve Graham, Regents and Warner Professor in the Mary Lou Fulton College of Teaching and Learning Innovation, has been elected to membership in the National Academy of Education, one of the highest honors in the field of education research.

The National Academy of Education, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing high-quality education research and its use in policy and practice, announced the election of 19 scholars whose work has significantly influenced education science. Graham is among this year’s select cohort recognized for his lifetime of research on writing development, instruction and the relationship between writing and learning.

“I am deeply honored to join this remarkable group of scholars,” he said. “The work of the academy advances research that matters for educators and learners across the country, and I look forward to contributing to that collective mission.”

With a research career spanning nearly five decades, Graham has examined how writing develops and how it can be taught effectively to support learning. His work has extended far beyond ASU, impacting classroom practice around the country and national education policy. He is also increasingly advancing knowledge in how educators, learners and others can work effectively with artificial intelligence through writing. 

Prior to his ASU appointment, Graham served as editor for leading journals including Exceptional Children and the Journal of Educational Psychology and was the author or co-author of major handbooks and influential reports such as “Writing Next,” “Writing to Read” and “Informing Writing.”

Carole Basile, dean of the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation, applauded Graham’s election as both a personal and institutional milestone.

“Steve’s work exemplifies research that not only expands academic knowledge but also tangibly improves teaching and learning,” Basile said. “His election to the National Academy of Education reflects a lifetime of scholarly excellence and his enduring commitment to educational equity and teacher preparation.”

Nancy Gonzales, provost of Arizona State University, echoed that praise.

“Steve Graham’s election to the National Academy of Education reflects the ideals of our ASU Charter and our design aspirations. It is use-inspired and driven by a commitment to improving outcomes for students everywhere,” Gonzales said. “His work has informed educators, policymakers and families for decades, and this recognition is richly deserved.”

Founded in 1965, the National Academy of Education brings together outstanding scholars to address pressing issues in education research and practice. Members serve on expert study panels and engage in professional development initiatives that shape the field’s future.

At ASU, Graham’s work continues to influence how writing instruction is understood and delivered, particularly through collaborations with school districts, research institutions and federal agencies. As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes how students learn and write, Graham is advancing knowledge  to help educators and others navigate the use of AI in learning contexts.

Graham’s research in this topic includes a 2025 study in the journal Reading and Writing titled Secondary Teachers’ Use and Beliefs about Generative Artificial Intelligence and Writing in School. Teachers’ beliefs about AI, according to the study, strongly predicted their classroom use of AI, underscoring that professional development and thoughtful policy matter just as much as the tools themselves. Other recent AI-related papers include:

• Comparing the quality of human and ChatGPT feedback on students’ writing

• Can AI provide useful holistic essay scoring?
• High school students’ use and beliefs about generative artificial intelligence and writing in school

Graham earned his EdD in special education from the University of Kansas and holds advanced degrees from Valdosta State College. His election to the National Academy of Education adds to his longstanding record of honors, including induction into the Reading Hall of Fame and multiple career achievement awards from leading scholarly organizations. He is also a fellow of the American Educational Research Association, the American Psychological Association (Division 15) and the International Academy for Research in Learning Disabilities.