John N. Hawkins

Short Biography & Significant Contribution

John Hawkins is a professor of Comparative and International Education at the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). After receiving his BA and MA in Asian Studies at University of Hawaii and University of British Columbia respectively, he earned his PhD in both East Asian Studies and Comparative Education in 1973 at George Peabody College, Vanderbilt University. That same year John Hawkins became a faculty member at UCLA, teaching courses on education development and education in the Asia/Pacific region. His research interests include education and politics, rural education, policy studies, project management education, education and intergroup relations, and most recently secondary and higher education reform.

From 1988- 1999, John Hawkins served as Dean of International Studies and Overseas Programs at UCLA (ISOP), overseeing 13 research and instructional support centers covering regions in Asia, Africa, Europe, Middle East, and Latin America. Following his departure from ISOP, he became Director for the Center for International and Development Education (CIDE) since 2002. The CIDE houses research projects related to the issues of education and development and provides a learning community combining the study of theory with practical management of educational program. Apart from his work within UCLA, John Hawkins also served as the Treasurer, Vice President, and President of the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) and later became editor for its journal, Comparative Education Review. He is also a director of the East West Center (EWC), serving as a consultant for the EWC's International Forum for Education 2020.

A prolific writer, John Hawkins authored or edited 15 books on educational policy and planning in the Asia/Pacific region and over 70 articles. His contributions led to many awards and honors. In 1986, he was admitted as an honorary member to the National Association of Private Colleges and Universities, Tokyo, Japan (FMICA). Later in 1994, John Hawkins received the "Outstanding Foreign Scholar Award" from the Center for Learning and Evaluation, Yokohama, Japan. In 1997, the French Prime Minister Juppe awarded him the Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Palmes Academiques medal for services rendered to French Culture.

Educational Background

BA (Honors) Asian Studies (University of Hawaii) 
MA East Asian Studies (University of British Columbia) 
PhD East Asian Studies and Comparative Education (Vanderbilt University, George Peabody College)

Professional Background

Professor of Comparative and International Education (1973 to present)

Dean of International Studies and Overseas Programs (1991-1999; Director 1988-1991; Acting Director 1987-1988; Associate Director 1985-1987)

Director of the Center for International and Development Education (CIDE) 2002-present.

Affiliations (associations, organizations, institutions)

Member and former President of the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES)

Director for the Center of International and Development Education (CIDE) Consultant and Director for the East-West Center

Selected Publications

Hawkins, J. N., & Xu, J. (2012). Mobility, migration and the road to the innovative university: implications for the Asia-Pacific region. Journal of Asian Public Policy, 5(3), 255-265.

Hawkins, J. N. (2012). Regionalization and harmonization of higher education in Asia: Easier said than done. Asian Education and Development Studies, 1(1), 96-108.

Hawkins, J. N. (2010). The Education Revolution in China. Social Theory and Practice, 1(1), 58-66.

Hawkins, J. N., Jacob, W. J., & Wenli, L. I. (2009). Higher education in China: Access, equity and equality. Inequality in Education, 215-239.

Hershock, P. D., Mason, M., & Hawkins, J. N. (Eds.). (2008). Changing Education: Leadership, Innovation and Development in a Globalizing Asia Pacific (Vol. 20). Springer.

Hawkins, J. N. (2006). Walking on three legs: Centralization, decentralization, and recentralization in Chinese education. Educational Decentralization, 27-41.

Su, Z., Hawkins, J. N., Huang, T., & Zhao, Z. (2001). Choices and commitment: A comparison of teacher candidates' profiles and perspectives in China and the United States. International Review of Education, 47(6), 611-635.

Cummings, W. K., Tatto, M. T., & Hawkins, J. N. (Eds.). (2001). Values Education for Dynamic Societies: Individualism or Collectivism (Vol. 10). Hong Kong Univ Pr.

Hawkins, J. N., & Rust, V. D. (2001). Shifting Perspectives on Comparative Research: a view from the USA. Comparative Education, 37(4), 501-506.

Hawkins, J. N., & Cummings, W. K. (2000). Transnational Competence: Rethinking the US-Japan Educational Relationship. SUNY Press.

Koppel, B., Hawkins, J. N., & James, W. E. (Eds.). (1994). Development or Deterioration?: Work in Rural Asia. Rienner.

Created: 12/3/2012

Updated: 12/4/2012

Contributed By: Dan Tursack (Lehigh University)