UW–Madison’s Brian Burt, an associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, is an inaugural winner of the Emerging Leader Alumni Award from the University of Michigan’s School of Education.
Burt earned his PhD from the University of Michigan in 2014.
The Emerging Leader Alumni Award is one of two new awards launched this year in honor of the University of Michigan School of Education’s centennial. It is presented to University of Michigan alumni with fewer than 10 years of professional experience after completing their degree.
The award champions alumni who are early in their careers and demonstrate a commitment to the profession of education, as well as show potential for continued leadership, and a passion for equity and justice in the field of education.
Burt focuses his research on exploring the experiences of underrepresented graduate students of color in the field of engineering. Since graduating from the University of Michigan, he has published 16 articles in top-tier journals, four book chapters, two research briefs, and presented 19 peer-reviewed conference sessions as well as given 21 invited conference presentations, notes the university’s announcement of the award winners.
As one of example of Burt’s recent work, earlier this fall he was the lead author of a new paper published in the Teachers College Record that examines Black male graduate students’ advising experiences in engineering — with the researchers theorizing that more caring relationships could assist students in earning their degree. For complete details, read the paper on the Teachers College Record website: “Moving Toward Stronger Advising Practices: How Black Males’ Experiences at HPWIs Advance a More Caring and Wholeness-Promoting Framework for Graduate Advising.”
Burt was also recognized for outstanding mentorship. Though still early in his career, he has mentored over 34 students through research collaborations, and many of the papers he has published were co-authored by graduate students.
“He has proven to be an exceptional mentor,” writes one nominator, “from quick text conversations about decisions, helping me conceptualize research ideas, reminding me that I was indeed worthy of being at Michigan, and allowing me access to his network.”
Read the University of Michigan School of Education’s announcement of the 2021 award winners.