Gerald A. Goldin

Gerald Goldin, Ph.D. received his B.A. in 1964 magna cum laude in chemistry and physics from Harvard University, his Ph.D. in 1969 in theoretical physics from Princeton University, and studied the learning of mathematics at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn). He coordinated the program in Mathematics Education at Penn, and in Science Education at Northern Illinois University, before joining the Rutgers University faculty in 1984. He is currently affiliated with three departments as Distinguished Professor of Mathematics Education, Mathematics, and Physics. With over 200 scholarly publications, his research spans these three fields.

He has served as Director of Rutgers’ Center for Mathematics, Science, and Computer Education, and as University Director for Science and Mathematics Partnerships. He organized and directed New Jersey’s Statewide Systemic Initiative in Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education. Subsequently he served as Director of MetroMath: The Center for Mathematics in America’s Cities. These activities reflect his commitment to achieving both excellence and equity in STEM education.

In the domain of mathematics education, Prof. Goldin’s research has focused on the characterization of internal and external systems of representation, especially their role in mathematical learning and problem solving. His leadership of the Working Group on Representations of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (PME) culminated in the publication of two special issues of the Journal of Mathematical Behavior in 1998. He chaired the Research Survey Team on Representations for the 2008 International Congress on Mathematics Education (ICME), where he presented an invited plenary lecture. He was an early advocate of the importance of the affective domain in mathematical learning, arguing that it plays an essential representational role in reasoning and problem solving. A special issue of the Mediterranean Journal for Research in Mathematics Education (vol. 9, no. 1, 2010) was dedicated as a tribute to his work.

In the domain of mathematical physics, Prof. Goldin was an early co-discoverer (with colleagues at Los Alamos National Laboratory) of the possibility of “anyon” statistics (interpolating Bose and Fermi exchange statistics of quantum particles) in two space dimensions, together with the previously unsuspected possibility of “nonabelian anyons.” He is known as well for his work on local current algebras and infinite-dimensional Lie groups describing quantum kinematics, quantum vortex configurations, and nonlinear variations of quantum mechanics – particularly, the discovery of the “Doebner-Goldin equation” and related nonlinear gauge transformations. He is presently working on problems in nonlinear and conformal-invariant electrodynamics, relativistic quantum field theory, and quantum gravity. He is active in planning two ongoing international conference series in mathematical physics.

His current research in education focuses on affect and engagement in mathematical learning and problem solving. His inspiration for work in education arises not only from his educational background, but from his life-long concern for educational equity and inclusiveness. His vision is to inspire the teaching of mathematics in ways that fulfill students’ fundamental needs for connection, empowerment, inspiration, and beauty. His teaching philosophy is to help students develop deep conceptual understanding, and to engage them actively in doing mathematics.

Prof. Goldin is the co-author of two illustrated children’s books published in Scotland. His most recent children’s book, America’s Welcome (2024), published in the United States, is a moving story about the dream of two undocumented children.

• Expertise & Research Interest

  Cognition, affect, and motivation in mathematical learning, teaching, and problem solving

  Systems of representation in the psychology of mathematics education

  Quantum theory, current algebras, and exotic exchange statistics of quantum particles

  Group theoretical methods and symmetries in physics, especially infinite-dimensional groups

  Nonlinear field equations of electromagnetism

• Research Work With Students

  Mathematics education, including systems of internal and external representation, affect, engagement, and motivation in mathematics classrooms.

  Theoretical and mathematical physics, including foundations of quantum physics,nonlinear elctrodynamics and quantum mechanics, current algebra and group representations

  Mathematical learning and problem solving, theoretical physics.

  Professor Goldin presently collaborates with Ph.D. students in Education studying affect, motivation, and engagement in mathematics learning and teaching, and in Physics studying infinite-dimensional group representations and the quantum systems they describe.

• Recent & Selected Publications

  G. A. Goldin, L. B. Warner, R. Y. Schorr, & D. Colaneri (2022). Exploring prospective mathematics teachers’ motivating desires during group problem solving activity. In J. Morska & A. Rogerson (Eds.), The Mathematics Education for the Future Project Proceedings of the 16^th International Conference: Building on the Past to Prepare for the Future (pp. 214-219). Münster: WTM-Verlag. https://www.wtm-verlag.de/conference-proceedings-7/

  G. A. Goldin (2023). On mathematical validity and its human origins. In Bicudo, M.A.V., Czarnocha, B., Rosa, M., Marciniak, M. (Eds.), Ongoing Advancements in Philosophy of Mathematics Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-35209-6_7

  G. A. Goldin (2023). Foundational pillars of mathematics: Implications for a holistic philosophy of mathematics education. In J. Morska & A. Rogerson (Eds.), The Mathematics Education for the Future Project Symposium Proceedings: Innovative Teaching Practices (pp. 67-72). Münster: WTM-Verlag. https://www.wtm-verlag.de/conference-proceedings-9/

  G. A. Goldin (2023), The prediction of anyons: Its history and wider implications. SciPost Phys. Proc. 14, 005, https://doi.org/10.21468/SciPostPhysProc.14

  G. A. Goldin and D. H. Sharp (2025). A universal kinematical group for quantum mechanics. Journal of Mathematical Physics 66, 082103, https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0211626

  G. A. Goldin (2026), Quantum mechanics without quantization: Representing a universal kinematical group. International Journal of Geometric Methods in Modern Physics 23 (6), 2540041, https://dx.doi.org/10.1142/S0219887825400419

  Gerald Goldin (2024). America’s Welcome. Illustrated by Lorenzo Romero, Graphic design by Nathalie Hernandez. Palisades, NY: Handler & Wagreich Publishing.

• Honors & Awards

  National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship, Physics (1964-1968)

  Chapel of the Four Chaplains Community Service Award (1971)

  Exemplary Project Award, New Jersey Dept. of Higher Education(1986)

  Outstanding Research Award, Rutgers Graduate School of Education Alumni Association (1992)

  Technology Education Association of New Jersey Leadership Award (1995)

  Deutsche Akademische Austauschdienst (DAAD) Fellowship (1996)

  Alexander von Humboldt Research Prize, Physics (1998)

  Leverhulme Visiting Professorship (2004-2005)

  Diploma of Honour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Republic of Benin (2009)

  Distinguished Faculty Lecture Award, Rutgers University GSE Alumni Association (2011)

  Distinguished Leader in Education, Rutgers University GSE Commencement (2011)