Biography and education
Dr. Gail Dickinson is a distinguished science educator and Fulbright Scholar currently affiliated with Texas State University. With a three-decade career dedicated to advancing science education both locally and globally, Dr. Dickinson brings a wealth of expertise and experience to her role.
Dr. Dickinson's passion for science education has been evident throughout her extensive career. She has served in various capacities, including as a classroom teacher, curriculum developer, teacher educator, and educational consultant, where she has consistently advocated for inquiry-based learning and hands-on experiences to ignite students' curiosity and deepen their understanding of scientific concepts.
As a Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Dickinson had the opportunity to engage in international collaborations and exchange knowledge with educators and researchers around the world. Her Fulbright experience has enriched her perspective on global issues in science education and has allowed her to contribute to the advancement of educational practices on an international scale.
Dr. Dickinson's passion for science education has been evident throughout her extensive career. She has served in various capacities, including as a classroom teacher, curriculum developer, teacher educator, and educational consultant, where she has consistently advocated for inquiry-based learning and hands-on experiences to ignite students' curiosity and deepen their understanding of scientific concepts.
As a Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Dickinson had the opportunity to engage in international collaborations and exchange knowledge with educators and researchers around the world. Her Fulbright experience has enriched her perspective on global issues in science education and has allowed her to contribute to the advancement of educational practices on an international scale.
Research Interests
Featured grants
- Dickinson, Gail. YSEALI Regional Workshop: Empowering Southeast Asian Educators, US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Federal, $250000. (Submitted: August 2018, Funded: February 2019 - October 2019). Grant.
- Dickinson, Gail (Principal). Moving Towards Inquiry in a Land of Conformity, United States Department of State - Fulbright Commission, Federal, $50390. (Submitted: April 1, 2015, Funded: September 1, 2015 - July 1, 2016). Grant.
- Dickinson, Gail (Principal), Johannessen, B. G (Principal). Scholar Mentor Program, Institutional (Higher Ed). (Submitted: January 1, 2012). Grant.
- Leang, U. (Principal), Veasna, C. (Principal), Ford, D. (Principal), Rumreasey, C. (Principal), Dany, K. (Principal), Monrith, L. (Principal), Galloway, H. (Principal), Dickinson, Gail (Principal), Lemke, M. (Principal). Transforming teaching methodologies at Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) and Svay Rieng University (SRU) from lecture to inquiry, Kingdom of Cambodia Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport World Bank proposal, Private / Foundation / Corporate, $133343. (Submitted: January 1, 2012). Grant.
- Galloway, Heather C (Co-Principal), Percent Contribution: %33, Dickinson, Gail (Principal), Percent Contribution: %34, Lemke, Maureen, Percent Contribution: %33. Transforming teaching methodologies at Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) and Svay Rieng University (SRU) from lecture to inquiry, Royal University of PhnomPenh, $150000. (Funded: June 1, 2011 - September 1, 2011). Grant.
Featured scholarly/creative works
- Sot, V., Sok, S., & Dickinson, G. (2019). Four decades of teacher development: Teacher preparation and teacher upgrading programs in Cambodia from 1979 to 2018. Cambodia Education Review, 3, 115–139.
- Dickinson, G. (2018). Cambodia’s Emerging Bilingual Education Programs—Success in a System in Crisis. In Bilingualism and Bilingual Education: Politics, Policies and Practices in a Globalized Society (pp. 269–290). Netherlands: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05496-0_13
- Dickinson, G., & Soth, S. (n.d.). Divergent Paths: Principals’ Responses to Educational Reform in Cambodia.
- Dickinson, G. (n.d.). From Policy to Practice: A Keystone Individual’s Role in Cambodian Education Reform.
- Stefanoff Hartin, E., & Dickinson, G. (2025). The influences of inquiry-based field experiences on the positioning of undergraduate pre-service elementary teachers. Retrieved from https://proceedings.science/wcqr-2025/papers/the-influences-of-inquiry-based-field-experiences-on-the-positioning-of-undergra?lang=en
Featured awards
- Award / Honor Recipient: Alpha Chi National College Honor Society Favorite Professor, Alpha Chi. 2015
- Award / Honor Recipient January 1, 2011 - December 1, 2011
- Award / Honor Recipient: Alpha Chi National College Honor Society Favorite Professor, Alpha Chi. 2010
- Award / Honor Recipient January 1, 2010 - December 1, 2010
- Award / Honor Recipient: Instrumental in bringing the ISTE NETS*T Distinguished Achievement Award to UTeach. January 1, 2002
Featured service activities
- Graduate Advisor
- Participant
Seton Sewing Circle
- Member
Royal University of Phnom Penh Department of Education MEd
- Member
Royal University Of Phnom Penh Department of Education Advisory Board
- Reviewer / Referee
International Journal of Problem Based Learning
- Organizer
San Marcos Public Housing, Science Nights