About

Ernest Morrell is the Coyle Professor of Literacy Education, associate dean in the College of Arts and Letters, and director of the Center for Literacy Education in the Institute for Educational Initiatives at the University of Notre Dame, where he holds joint appointments in the Department of English and the Department of Africana Studies. 

An expert in critical educational and social movement theory, Morrell focuses his research interests on literacy education, international Catholic education, postcolonial literature, media and popular culture, literature for children, and the African diaspora. He is a convener of the African Diaspora International Research Network.

Morrell has published more than 80 articles and book chapters and eight books, including Critical Media Pedagogy: Teaching for Achievement in City Schools, which was named an Outstanding Academic Title for 2014 by Choice magazine. His latest book, Educating Harlem: Schooling and Resistance in an American Community, was published in November 2019 by Columbia University Press.

Morrell was previously the director of the Institute for Urban and Minority Education at Columbia University and a past-president of the National Council of Teachers of English. He holds a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley.

Thematic Interests

English education, the African diaspora, media and popular culture, literacy and freedom, postcolonial studies, literature for children, Catholic Education

Countries

Books

Journal Articles

Book Chapters

Other Accomplishments & Recognitions
  • Luksic Family Collaboration Grant (2017-18): "Global Catholic Education: Setting and Expanding a Social Science Research Agenda"
  • Divergent Award for Excellence in 21st Century Literacies (2017)
  • Ranked among the top 100 university-based education scholars in the Annual EdWeek RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings (2015, 2016, 2017)
  • Executive Board member, LitWorld
  • Executive Board member, Education for Democracy Institute
  • Elected member, AERA (American Educational Research Association) Council
  • Elected fellow, American Educational Research Association
  • Appointed Member, International Literacy Association Research Panel