About David J. Roof
David J. Roof, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Educational Studies at Ball State University’s Teachers College, where he currently serves as the Director of the Center for Economic and Civic Learning (CECL). David has led projects dedicated to fostering civic engagement, advancing education, and supporting democracy. His role as Principal Investigator (PI) includes managing the U.S. Department of Education-funded project, Civic Renewal through Education for Agency, Tolerance, and Engagement (CREATE), which focuses on promoting active citizenship and democratic values.
David’s expertise extends beyond the U.S. He has worked in Central Asia and Africa on educational development, democracy promotion, and policy analysis, leading initiatives such as the U.S./Uzbekistan Network and International Exchange for Development (UNITED) and the Regional Afghan Junior Faculty Development Program, both funded by the U.S. Department of State. His serves on the Board of Trustees for the American Institute of Pakistan Studies and the Fulbright U.S. Student Program National Screening Committee.
David has participated in international democracy initiatives. He is affiliated with the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Institute at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, which is known for its research on democracy and political systems worldwide. His involvement in this research institute reflects a commitment to understanding and promoting democratic governance across different contexts.
In 2023, David participated in the Institute of Civic Studies and Learning for Democracy (ICSLD), which brings together scholars from around the world, to address the pressing challenges to modern democracy.
In addition to international contributions, David has been involved in shaping civic education policy in Indiana, playing a role in the development of legislation to enhance civic learning. His commitment to democratic engagement is also reflected in designing Ball State's Nonpartisan Democratic Engagement Action Plan and his active participation in the Educating for American Democracy Community of Practice (CoP).
David has been a driving force behind Cardinals Vote!, a collaborative initiative with the Office of Student Life and the Office of Community Engagement, aimed at promoting non-partisan civic engagement across Ball State and our community. This project earned the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge's Highly Established Action Plan Seal, placing Ball State among the top campuses nationwide for fostering civic learning and voter participation.
David has been a keynote speaker at numerous international conferences and continues to lead efforts that promote civic participation and educational innovation.
Education
- Ph.D. Educational Policy Studies, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. 2011
- M.ED. Educational Policy Studies, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. 2009
- (N/A) History & Education University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 2005
- B.S Education, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico. 1999
Current Academic Positions
- Director, Center for Economic and Civic Learning, 2022-Present
- Associate Professor, Department of Educational Studies, 2011-Present
Current Appointments
- National Screening Committee, Fulbright U.S. Student Program
- Educating for American Democracy, Community of Practice
- Indiana Civic Education Committee
- Board of Trustees, American Institute of Pakistan Studies (AIPS)
- Guest Editor - The Good Society: A Journal of Civic Studies
- Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem), Institute, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Recently In the News
- "The Importance of Students Voting” Ball State Daily News Podcast. October 3, 2024.
- “Perry’s school board has just 2 candidates for 4 seats. Here’s what could happen next.” Chalkbeat. July 3, 2024
- “'Cardinals Vote!' looks to create change across campus and Indiana” Ball State Daily, by Trinity Rea, February 26, 2024
- “Ball State begins student voter engagement campaign that wants Cardinals to vote” Indiana Public Radio, by Stephanie Wiechmann, January 12, 2024
- “Civics education to come to the earliest grades under Indiana proposal.” Chalkbeat
- “Taliban push for normalizing male-only higher education” by Akmal Dawi. Voice of America, international media network, United States of America, May 28, 2024,
- “Ball State professor receives fellowship to transform education” by, Hanna Rauworth. Indianapolis Recorder, June 20, 2024.
- “Ball State Faculty Continue to Cultivate Relationships, Strengthen Ties in Pakistan” Ball State Blog, by Jennifer Criss, May 1, 2023
Recent Publications (Select)
Asher, S.,
& Roof, D. J. (2024). The impact of language barriers on Bangladeshi female
graduate international students’ academic and social experience in the United
States. [Manuscript submitted for publication] The Global Journal of
Transformative Education.
Roof, D. J.,
& Throntveit, T. (2024). Revitalizing civic education in high-need
districts: Challenges, innovations, and a path forward [Manuscript submitted
for publication]. Education Policy Analysis Archives.
Roof, David J.,
Paikar, Reza., & Geesa, Rachel. L. (2024). The Evolution of International
Student Exchange Programs: A Focus on Central Asian Students’ Academic and
Cultural Experience in the United States [Manuscript submitted for
publication]. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad.
Paikar, Reza,
& Roof, David. J. (2024). Educational Policy – Higher Education and Women
in Afghanistan [Manuscript submitted for publication]. International Education
Journal.
Trygve
Throntveit, David J. Roof, Anand R. Marri, and Ronald P. Mahurin, (2023).
Educating undergraduates for American democracy: The Third Way Civics approach.
Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 29(2),
14-39.https://doi.org/10.3998/mjcsl.5139
Ndemanu, M. T.
& Roof, D. (2023). Unearthing Unrelenting Disenfranchisement of Black and
Brown Voters: Preparing Adult Learners for Critical Consciousness and Political
Resistance. Dialogues in Social Justice: An Adult Education Journal.
Roof, David J.
(2022) American Studies in the Post Pandemic Era: Reflections on Higher
Education in the U.S. and Pakistan and Considerations for Future Collaboration.
Pakistan Journal of American Studies (PJAS) is an interdisciplinary
peer-reviewed journal produced by Area Study Centre for Africa. Vol. 40 No. 2
(2023).
Roof, David J.,
and Michael T. Ndemanu. “Resistance and Reconciliation: The Fight to End School
Segregation in the United States and South Africa.” In Re-Evaluating the Black
Experience in Higher Education in Africa and the United States: Struggles, Survival, and Successes, edited by
Ogechi E. Anyanwu and Timothy Forde. Richmond, KY: Eastern Kentucky University
Libraries, 2019.