David O. McCullough (he/him/his) is an independent scholar who studies the history of educational programming in American science museums. David started teaching in museums as a high school student in 1990. In the decades since he has delivered and managed educational programs in several museums, including the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland, Ohio and the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

David’s research explores how we’ve come to view museums as institutions that can support teachers with classroom practice. By focusing on museum educators and programs from the 1860s through the 2000s, his work highlights the individuals, ideologies, and methods that have transformed museums into institutions of pedagogical authority.

David holds a B.S. in Marine and Environmental Science from Hampton University, a M.S.Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dave lives near Philadelphia with his wife, two children, and several pets.

Board Member Since: 2022

Current Position: Co-Chair of the Editorial Team, Member of the Leadership Team