Rob Scott

Rob Scott is known for his work in politically-engaged education and sustainable food production. He has taught courses on educational theory, educational history, and education policy; he has also taught courses on sustainability and horticulture. Scott's current work focuses on generating opportunities for people in prisons to attend college.

Since 2013, Scott has served as Executive Director of the Cornell Prison Education Program. Under his leadership, the program has expanded to operate in four prisons, serving over 200 incarcerated students each year, and granting over 100 college degrees during Scott's time at Cornell. Scott has led efforts to establish local and national coalitions for higher education in prison. In 2016, he was awarded the “Champions of Change” prize by the White House for his work with students impacted by the criminal justice system. He published original work in American Studies, Critical Education, Human Ecology Review, Agroforestry, and Radical Teacher. He is also affiliated with Cornell’s Education Minor (CALS) and the Minor in Crime, Prisons, Education and Justice (A&S).  

Scott's teaching focuses on the social and cultural foundations of education and pedagogy in its intersection with the struggle for justice and democracy. He received a Masters degree in Environmental Science in 2006 and a PhD in Educational Policy Studies in 2011 from the University of Illinois .