Dr. J. Lawrence (‘Larry’) Bencze, Associate Professor Emeritus, Dept. CTL, OISE, U. Toronto
Welcome to my online CV! As a ‘retiree,’ I no longer teach courses (e.g., like these); although I do some university service (e.g., FOE; SMT). Mostly, I focus on the STEPWISE research & publication programme – working with colleagues, graduate students, teachers & others in collaborative action research to learn about students’ research-informed & negotiated sociopolitical actions to overcome STEM-SE Harms of their concern. Some publications from this work are highlighted below. Also see my: ORCID, Google Scholar page, UofT profile and a PDF copy of my latest full curriculum vitae – linked below.
Goals for my research & publication have – as seen at right – evolved since I began grad. studies in 1988. Likely because I had completed primary research for my MSc (1977), my early work (starting with my PhD thesis) studied promotion of students’ SD/OE science inquiry & engineering design projects – foci that largely deal with ‘Intra-STEM Phenomena. As I learned more about the Nature of Science (NoS), especially from my PhD Supervisor (Derek Hodson), my studies of inquiry & design projects also came to prioritize Naturalist-Antirealist NoS perspectives. Although I had many ‘successes’ with these foci, there seemed to be an ‘invisible hand’ blocking broad adoption of SD/OE activities. But, in reading books like The Cancer Stage of Capitalism, Real Science & Science in the Private Interest, it seemed there is a virtual capitalist ‘Borg’ limiting student self-determination via SD/OE projects. This led me to shift my research towards ‘STEM-Society-Environment (STEM-SE) relationships‘ and, especially, promotion of RiNA projects to address STEM-SE Harms – and, most recently, mobilization of values using an actor-network theory based dispositif concept. Some relevant findings are given here. A statement of my current educational perspectives are given here. Also see my interview with Dr. Pam Brittain for the CJSMTE.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
(From Full Curriculum Vitae)
Latest Publications
Refereed Edited Book Chapters
- Bencze, L., Del Gobbo, D., El Halwany, S., Guerrero, G., Ibrahim, S., & Zouda, M. (in press). School science promoting cultures of critical analysis and altruistic activism seeking ecojustice. In W. Lodge, & J. Dillon (Eds.), Culture and science education: Towards more inclusive practice (pp. xx-xx). Bloomsbury.
- Bencze, L., El Halwany, S., & Zouda, M. (in press). Science students dreaming of future ecojust material-semiotic assemblages: Drawing from critical & altruistic ‘food for thought.’ In J.D. Adams & C. Siry (Eds.), Wondering science: Creativity, imagination and future thinking in science education (pp. xx-xx). Springer.
- Bencze, L., Ibrahim Khan, S., Del Gobbo, D., El Halwany, S., & Guerrero, G. (in press). Secondary students’ visions of ‘ideal’ material-semiotic networks, possibly supporting increased global ecojustice. In A. Sezen-Barrie & S. Tolbert (Eds.), Handbook of climate change education research, policy, and practice (pp. xx-xx). Springer.
Recent published chapters below – below.
Refereed Publications
Journal Articles (recent articles, of 54)
- Bencze, J. L. (in press [online]). Science education for growing networks of critique and altruism: Striving for increased social justice and environmental vitality. International Journal of Science Education, xx(xx), xx-xx. doi: 10.1080/09500693.2025.2460048
- Bencze, J. L. (2025). Climate wars: Pro-ecojustice educators vs. pro-capitalist networks. RevistaMultidisciplinar [Multidisciplinary Magazine], 7(3), 19–40. https://doi.org/10.23882/rmd.25298
- El Halwany, S., Bencze, L., Hassan, N., Schaffer, K., Milanovic, M., & Zouda, M. (2021). Becoming alive within science education (research): Thinking with life history(ies), bodies and stickiness. Cultural Studies of Science Education, 16(1), 85–107.
- El Halwany, S., Zouda, M., & Bencze, L. (2021). Stepping into STS literature: Some implications for promoting socioecological justice through science education. Cultural Studies of Science Education, 16(4), 1083-1096.
- Bencze, J. L. (2020). Re-visioning ideological assemblages through de-punctualizing and activist science, mathematics & technology education. Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics & Technology Education, 20(4), 736–749.
- Bencze, L., Pouliot, C., Pedretti, E., Simonneaux, L., Simonneaux, J., & Zeidler, D. (2020). SAQ, SSI and STSE education: Defending and extending ‘Science-in-Context’. Cultural Studies of Science Education, 15(3), 825–851.
Books (all)
- Bencze, J. L. (in development). Swimming against the tide in science teacher education: Growing ecojustice dispositifs. Peter Lang.
- Bencze, J. L. (ed.) (2025). Building networks for critical and altruistic science education: Seeking ubiquitous social justice and environmental vitality. Springer.
- Weinstein, M., Pouliot, C., Martins, I., Levinson, R., Carter, L., Bencze, L., & Sharma, A. (2023). Science education towards social and ecological justice: Provocations and conversations. Springer International.
- Bencze, J. L. (ed.) (2017). Science & technology education promoting wellbeing for individuals, societies & environments. Springer.
- Bencze, J. L., & Alsop, S. (eds.) (2014). Activist science & technology education. Springer.
- Alsop, S., Bencze, L., & Pedretti, E. (eds.) (2005). Analysing exemplary science teaching: Theoretical lenses and a spectrum of possibilities for practice. Open University Press.
Chapters in Edited Books (recent chapters, of 72)
- Bencze, J.L. (in review). Altruistic STEM education: Speaking and acting within Gaia. In N. Nunes-Neto and G. Reis (Eds.), Science education in/for worlds in crisis: Values and ethics for socioenvironmental transformations (pp. xx-xx). Springer.
- El Halwany, S., & Bencze, L. (in review). Caring for an immanent ethics in a college microbiology laboratory. In G. Reis & N. Nunes-Neto (Eds.), Ethics in science and environmental education (pp. xx-xx). Springer.
- Bencze, J. L. (2025). Growing material-semiotic alliances opposing pro-capitalist ‘machines.’ In J. L. Bencze (Ed.), Building networks for critical and altruistic science education (pp. 3-25). Springer.
- Bencze, L., Del Gobbo, D., El Halwany, S., Krstovic, M., & Zouda, M. (2025). Essential application-based teaching: Addressing omissions and distortions in STEM education. In J. L. Bencze (Ed.), Building networks for critical and altruistic science education (pp. 3-25). Springer.
- Bencze, L., Del Gobbo, D., Ibrahim, S., El Halwany, S., Hassan, N., Zouda, M., & Guerrero, G. (2025). School science students envisaging (A)Biotic alliances prioritising educated and researched values. In J. L. Bencze (Ed.), Building networks for critical and altruistic science education (pp. 87-115). Springer.
- Bencze, L., Del Gobbo, D., Zouda, M., El Halwany, S., Hassan, N., Milanovic, M., & Krstovic, M. (2025). ‘WISE’ engineering in school science: Informed creativity for ecojustice. In J.L. Bencze (Ed.), Building networks for critical and altruistic science education (pp. 65-85). Springer.
- Del Gobbo, D., Bencze, L., Zouda, M. El Halwany, S., Hassan, N., Ibrahim, S., & Guerrero, G. (2025). STEPWISE cartographies: Student blueprinting of socioscientific issues using actor network theory and dispositifs. In J. L. Bencze (Ed.), Building networks for critical and altruistic science education (pp. 143-165). Springer.
- El Halwany, S., & Bencze, L. (2025). Learning affectively: A socio-material analysis of a college microbiology laboratory. In J. L. Bencze (Ed.), Building networks for critical and altruistic science education (pp. 279-295). Springer.
- Guerrero, G., & Bencze, L. (2025). Mobilising critical community-based outdoor science and environmental education. In J. L. Bencze (Ed.), Building networks for critical and altruistic science education (pp. 297-317). Springer.
- Hassan, N., El Halwany, S., Schaffer, K., Milanovic, M., Zouda, M., & Bencze, L. (2025). Implementing STEPWISE pedagogy in postsecondary STEM education to cultivate student agency towards ecojustice. In J. L. Bencze (Ed.), Building networks for critical and altruistic science education (pp. 255-278). Springer.
- Ibrahim, S., Del Gobbo, D., El Halwany, S., Zouda, M., Hassan, N., Krstovic, M., Peixoto M., Bencze. L. (2025). From acquiescence to activism: New stances for art in science education. In J. L. Bencze (Ed.), Building networks for critical and altruistic science education (pp. 183-212). Springer.
- Kofman, N., Zouda, M., El Halwany, S., Del Gobbo, D., Ibrahim, S., Guerrero, G., & Bencze, L. (2025). Meeting them ‘where they’re at’: Critical secondary school NoS resource development. In J. L. Bencze (Ed.), Building networks for critical and altruistic science education (pp. 357-378). Springer.
- Zouda, M., El Halwany, S., Milanovic, M., & Bencze, L. (2025). Addressing socioscientific issues through STEM education: The case of STEM coaches. In J. L. Bencze (Ed.), Building networks for critical and altruistic science education (pp. 213-236). Springer.
- Zouda, M., Rahman, S., El Halwany, S., Milanovic, M., Hassan, N., & Bencze (2025). Community members’ food waste activism: Complexities of learning in a socio-cultural context. In J. L. Bencze (Ed.), Building networks for critical and altruistic science education (pp. 237-254). Springer.
- Zouda, M., Tsoubaris, D., El Halwany, S., & Bencze, L. (2025). Conceptions on STSE relationships and issues: Towards social activism through science education. In J. L. Bencze (Ed.), Building networks for critical and altruistic science education (pp. 167-182). Springer.
- Bencze, L., Carter, L., & Martins, I. (2024). Post-pandemic science & technology education: Ongoing challenges to societies. In C. B. Moura (Ed.), A sociopolitical turn in science education: Towards post-pandemic worlds (pp. 267-286). Springer.
- Bencze, L., & Pouliot, C. (2024). Encouraging and enabling student socio-political actions through dispositif dynamism analyses. In D. Zeidler (Ed.), A moral inquiry into epistemic insights in science education: Personal and global perspectives of socioscientific issues (pp. 107-128). Springer.
Latest Conference Presentations
IOSTE 2024 (Nov. 11-15, Kuching, Malaysia).
- Bencze, L., Del Gobbo, D., Zouda, M., El Halwany, S., Hassan, N., Ibrahim, S. & Guerrero, G. (2024). Secondary school science students’ ‘wise’ GenAI uses for critical & altruistic citizenship. [Paper]
- Zouda, M., Del Gobbo, D., El Halwany, S., Ibrahim, S., & Bencze, L. (2024). ChatGPT and activist science education: Potentials, challenges, and critical approaches. [Proposal]
Upcoming Conferences Presentations
CSSE 2025 (May 31 – June 5, Toronto).
- Del Gobbo, D., Bencze, L., & Zouda, M. (accepted). Undertones of the abyss: Secondary science student’s efforts to unmask generative AI black boxes.
Recent Invited Academic Talks
- Bencze, J.L. (2024). Critical and activist science and technology education. A summary presentation for the Towards Eco-Social Curricula workshop, as part of the Common Ecologies project, Feb. 29, 2024. [video]
- Bencze, L. (2023). Moderator for Symposium, Climate change in times of denial, Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa, Online, April 11, 2023. [video]
- Bencze, L. (2023). Climate wars: Pro-ecojustice educators vs. pro-capitalist networks. A presentation at the symposium, Education in/for the Risk Society: Dealing with uncertainties in times of climate change. Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa, March 28, 2023. [Video]
- Bencze, J.L. (2022). Critical & proactive civic engagement in/through science & technology education. A presentation to graduate students, College of Education, University of South Florida (Instructor: Dana Zeidler), Nov. 3, 2022.
Non-refereed Publications
Books (recent)
Science Education for Civic Action
Sample teacher-led lessons and student application activities for implementing STEPWISE pedagogy
STEM Education as an Instrument for Global Ecojustice
L. Bencze, Position Statement (71-pg)
Journal Articles (recent)
- Bencze, J.L. (2022). Expanding pro-ecojust dispositifs in/through science & technology education. Journal for Activist Science & Technology Education, 12(1), i-xi.
- Bencze, L., Del Gobbo, D., El Halwany, S., Milanovic, M., Qureshi, N., Padamsi, Z., & Zouda, M. (2022). Science students’ ecojust engineering designs: Teacher and student bricoleurs. Journal for Activist Science & Technology Education, 12(1), 1-11.
- Bencze, L., Del Gobbo, D., El Halwany, S., Mohammad, N.H., Milanovic, M., Yeung, J., & Zouda, M. (2022). School science students envisaging (a)biotic alliances prioritizing their informed values. Journal for Activist Science & Technology Education, 12(1), 12-23.
- El Halwany, S., & Bencze, L. (2022). Excessive pedagogies: Emotional contours of STEPWISE in a college science lab. Journal for Activist Science & Technology Education, 12(1), 24-32.
- Ibrahim, S., Del Gobbo, D., Halwany, S., Zouda, M., Milanovic, M., Hassan, N., Krstovic, M., Kofman, N., & Bencze, L. (2022). STEAM not STEaM: Revisioned pedagogies prioritizing social justice and ecological sustainability in STEAM education. Journal for Activist Science & Technology Education, 12(1), 33-52.
- Kofman, N., Zouda, M., El Halwany, S., Del Gobbo, D., Ibrahim Khan, S., Guerrero, G., & Bencze, L. (2022). Meeting them ‘where they’re at’: Critical secondary school NoS resource development. Journal for Activist Science & Technology Education, 12(1), 85-95.
- Zouda, M., Tsoubaris, D., El Halwany, S., Milanovic, M., Padamsi, Z., Qureshi, N., & Bencze, L. (2022). Conceptions on STSE issues and relationships: Toward activism in science education. Journal for Activist Science & Technology Education, 12(1), 53-64.
Seminars (recent)
- Bencze, L. (2023). Critical & altruistic student engagement in/through science and technology education. An interactive presentation at the first conference of the Tikkun project of the Leo Baeck Day School, Toronto, March 9, 2023. [slideshow]
Editorial Board Memberships
- Cultural Studies of Science Education. This journal’s priorities highly align with my socio-political views. Supported by Springer publishers, they also host the annual CSSE Forum – a small conference featuring longer, small-group, discussions. As a Board member, I also serve as Lead Editor for submitted manuscripts – which involves initial overall review and coordination of expert reviews of each manuscript to which I have been assigned.
- Contemporary Trends and Issues in Science Education. This series of books published by Springer also aligns with my political views and is edited by Dana Zeidler – a prominent scholar regarding socioscientific issues education. I am asked to review proposals for academic books for this series.
Journal Manuscript Reviewer
International Journal of Science Education; Science Education; Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics & Technology Education.
Conference Proposal Reviewer
Journal Guest Editor
- CSSE 12.4 (2017): Biopolitics & Science Education;
- CJSMTE 10.3 (2010): Activism through SMT Education;
- Orbit 31.3 (2000): Science, Math. & Technology (Education) for All.
Journal Co-founder/Editor
Journal for Activist Science & Technology Education
In 2009, Dr. Steve Alsop (York University, Toronto) and I co-founded/edit JASTE – a community-reviewed & open-access journal that focuses on knowledge about STEM-SE Harms and rectifying civic actions. Rather than possibly restricting authors’ creativity through peer review, we hope readers will provide authors with feedback they might use to further develop their scholarship. Our latest issue is: JASTE 13.1 (2024), which is the fourth of our school-based issues that feature articles by high school students and teachers. Dr. Jesse Bazzul (U Regina) served as co-editor (2014-19), leading some critical issues and helping us convert to using the OJS hosting service. Please consider helping us advertise JASTE at: tinyurl.com/tcmjxry.
School-based JASTE Issues
As a result of collaborative action research involving high school teachers of science, four issues of JASTE – linked to the graphics at right/below – have been produced. These feature some academic articles, articles written by teachers and reports of RiNA projects written by students. Please help us share these JASTE issues with educators and others who may find them helpful.
Education
- PhD, Education (U. Toronto [OISE]), 1992-1995); Thesis: Bencze, J.L. (1995). Towards a more authentic and feasible science curriculum for secondary schools. Unpublished PhD Thesis. Toronto: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto. [PDF copy]
- BEd, Biology/Chemistry (Queen’s U., Kingston, ON, 1976-77).
- MSc, Biology (Queen’s U., Kingston, ON, 1974-77); Thesis: Bencze, J.L. (1977). Cytogenetic and fine structural analysis of polytene chromosomes from Drosophila melanogaster. Unpublished MSc Thesis. Kingston, ON: Queen’s University.
- BSc, Biology (Queen’s U., Kingston, ON, 1970-74).
- Secondary School Diploma (academic studies), PCVS (1968-70), Peterborough, ON.
- Secondary School Diploma (technology studies), PCVS (1964-66); ASCVI (1966-68), Peterborough, ON.
- Elementary School Diploma, St. Peter’s Elementary School (1956-64), Peterborough, ON.
Work Experience
- Associate Professor Emeritus, Science Education, OISE/UT, since July 1, 2018.
- Assistant-Associate Professor, Science Education, OISE/UT, 1998-2018 (tenure, 2003; major courses).
- Assistant Professor of Education, College of Education, U. Saskatchewan, 1997-98 (1-year position).
- Independent Science Consultant, 1995-97.
- Consultant, Intermediate & Senior Science, York CDSB, Ontario, 1988-92.
- Science Teacher, Elementary & Secondary Private & Public Schools, Ontario, 1977-88.
Personal Note
After ‘retirement’ on July 1, 2018 from teaching and most university service work, I moved – for family reasons – to Kingston, Ontario. I often am, however, at OISE for meetings (Office: 10-154). To meet up, in-person or online, write to me at: larry.bencze@utoronto.ca.