Peter Hewson

Peter W. Hewson is a South African-born science educator and Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is best known for his foundational contributions to conceptual change theory in science education, particularly as a co-author of the highly influential 1982 paper that framed student learning as a process of conceptual change.

His research spans student learning in science (from tertiary physics to primary and secondary students in physics, biology, and chemistry), science teaching, teachers’ conceptions of teaching, teacher education, professional development, and international research capacity building in southern Africa.