Diana Hess

Dr. Diana Hess is a professor of the UW–Madison School of Education Department of Curriculum and Instruction. She previously served as Dean for the UW–Madison School of Education.

Hess also previously served as senior vice president of the Spencer Foundation in Chicago. The organization funds research to improve education policy and practice.

Since 1997, Hess has researched how teachers engage their students in discussions of highly controversial political and constitutional issues, and what impact this approach to civic education has on what young people learn.

Hess has an acclaimed background in education; she has been awarded the Karen A. Falk Distinguished Chair of Education and is part of the National Academy of Education.