Gary W. Wright III (he/him/his) is an Assistant Professor of Science Education at the University of Missouri in the Department of Learning, Teaching, & Curriculum. Dr. Wright’s research focuses on gender and sexual diversity (GSD)-inclusive pedagogies for science classrooms, with a particular focus on preparing pre-service science teachers to work with and learn from LGBTQ students in diverse classrooms. Using mixed methods, he explores how science teaching methods courses can be designed to foster supportive attitudes and beliefs about GSD-inclusive teaching. This work was recognized with the NARST 2023 Outstanding Doctoral Research Award. He is also interested in exploring best practices for supporting LGBTQ pre-service and in-service science teachers, as well as how LGBTQ teachers and students resist and challenge systems of oppression within science education settings. Dr. Wright is also involved in research exploring the impact of a distance near-peer mentoring model on STEM learning and engagement for underserved students living in rural communities in the United States and Botswana.

Dr. Wright is a first-generation college graduate and a former North Carolina Teaching Fellow. He holds a Ph.D. and M.Ed. in Science Education from North Carolina State University, and a B.A in Biology with a secondary science license from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Dr. Wright is also a former high school science teacher, having taught for 3 years in rural North Carolina communities.

Areas of Expertise

• Pre-service science teacher education
• Gender and sexual diversity-inclusive education
• LGBTQ+ identities (students and teachers)
• Near-peer mentoring
• Mixed methods