Linda Burzotta Nilson

Linda B. Nilson is an American author, public speaker, and academic. She is the founding director emeritus of the Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation at Clemson University.

She is known for her contributions to teaching strategies, course design, and faculty development.

Her work has focused on active learning (in-person and online), critical thinking, leading discussions, and self-regulated learning. She invented specifications grading, an alternative grading system.

Early life and education Nilson completed her undergraduate studies in sociology at the University of California, Berkeley, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She then pursued graduate studies in sociology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where she earned both her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. To support her graduate education, Nilson was awarded a National Science Foundation Fellowship.

Academic career Nilson began her academic career as a sociology professor at the University of California, Los Angeles.

At Clemson University, Nilson founded the Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation, where she trained faculty in publishing scholarly articles and books in addition to teaching and assessment. She has held leadership positions in various organizations, including the Professional and Organizational Development (POD) Network in Higher Education, Toastmasters International, Mensa, and the Southern Regional Faculty and Instructional Development Consortium.

Selected bibliography

Books

Journals