Rebecca Winthrop

Rebecca Winthrop is a senior fellow and director of the Center for Universal Education. She is the former head of education for the International Rescue Committee, a humanitarian aid NGO. Her research focuses on education in the developing world, with special attention to the skills children need to succeed in life, and improving quality learning for the most marginalized children and youth, including girls and children affected by extreme violence.

Recent publications: Millions Learning: Scaling Up Quality Education in Developing Countries with Jenny Perlman Robinson; What Works in Girls’ Education: Evidence for the World’s Best Investment with Gene B. Sperling; Why Wait 100 Years? Bridging the gap in global education, with Eileen McGivney.

"A child’s education is the world’s best investment with the widest-ranging returns. With an effective and positive teacher by their side, a child’s life transforms a community, country, even the world. The Global Teacher Prize is a wonderful opportunity to recognize a teacher whose courage, drive and outlook make a change in everyone’s future."