Dr. Peter McLaren

In 2014 Professor Peter McLaren joined Chapman’s faculty at the College of Educational Studies where he serves as Distinguished Professor in Critical Studies and as Co-Director and International Ambassador of Global Ethics and Social Justice of the Paulo Freire Democratic Project.

The College of Educational Studies formalized the Paulo Freire Democratic Project in 1996 under the directorship of Dr. Suzanne Soohoo and Dr. Tom Wilson. Establishing abiding professional and grass roots relationships with school administrators, teachers, students and community and parent organizations in the cities of Orange, Santa Ana and Anaheim, the Paulo Freire Democratic Project undertook a series of progressive initiatives influenced by the philosophy of praxis developed by legendary Brazilian educator Paulo Freire. These included organizing workshops, conferences, collaborative action research projects, and establishing democratic cultures in both formal and informal educational contexts.