Lauwerys , Joseph Albert , 1902-1981 , educationist

Born in Belgium, Joseph Lauwerys (1902-1981) came to England with his parents in 1914. After taking degrees in chemistry and physics at King's College, London, Lauwerys worked from 1927 to 1932 as a physics master at Bournemouth and at Christ's Hospital School. In 1932 he joined the staff of the Institute of Education, University of London, being in turn Lecturer in Methods of Science (1932-1941), Reader in Education (1941-1947), and Professor of Comparative Education (1947-1970). In 1970 he became the first Director of the Atlantic Institute, Nova Scotia. During his career he held many visiting professorships around the world and travelled widely as a consultant and observer of educational conditions. In particular, from 1944-1945 he was Director of Commission of Enquiry on Special Educational Problems, Conference of Allied Ministers of Education and, from 1945-1947, as an adviser and consultant, he played an important role in the establishment of UNESCO. He was also heavily involved in many different organisations for promoting international co-operation and understanding and comparative education, including the World Education Fellowship. For almost twenty years he was an editor of the World Year Book of Education. Building on his science background, Lauwerys also pioneered new aspects of science teaching and curriculum reform, emphasising how science should be a part of mainstream culture, and promoted the use of new educational media, including film and radio.