John R. Thompson

Current active research topics

Student understanding at the interface between mathematics and physics concepts, i.e., mathematical modelling and reasoning in physics

• student reasoning with eigentheory in quantum mechanics
• student connections between vector calculus and physics contexts
• the extent to which, and how, students evaluate problem solutions
• context dependence of student understanding of vector products
• integration in the context of process variables and state functions
• using symbolic forms and conceptual blending in modeling equation construction
• exploring how various mathematical modelling frameworks apply in different physics topics and at different levels of the curriculum

Awards/Honors

• Fellow, American Physical Society, 2023
• ΦKΦ (2021)
• Outstanding Referee, Physical Review Journals, American Physical Society, 2020
• Fulbright Scholar, 2008-2009, School of Physics, Dublin Institute of Technology (now Technological University Dublin), Dublin, Ireland
• Dean’s Award of Excellence in Engineering Physics program, College of Engineering, 2007-2008
• Honorary Engineer, Francis Crowe Society, College of Engineering, University of Maine
• ΣΠΣ (inducted 1989)

Service Highlights

• Chair, University of Maine Department of Physics and Astronomy
• Reviewer, “Upper-level physics curriculum section” in “A Guide to Effective Practices for Physics Programs (EP3)”, S. McKagan, D. A. Craig, M. Jackson, and T. Hodapp, Eds., (American Physical Education Society, College Park, MD, Version 2021.1). https://ep3guide.org/
• American Physical Society Topical Group on Physics Education Research (GPER)
  • Co-founder
  • Executive Committee: Vice Chair, Chair-Elect, Chair, Past Chair
• Participant, Congressional Visits Day, American Physical Society, Washington, DC.
• Co-organizer, 2017 Physics Education Research Conference, “Mathematization in Physics Education Research,” Covington, KY.
• Co-organizer, 2017 Transforming Research on Undergraduate STEM Education/ The University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN.
• Member, Editorial Board, Physical Review Special Topics – Physics Education Research.
• Member, Physics Education Research Leadership and Organizing Council (PERLOC); Chair.
• Member-at-Large, American Physical Society Forum on Education Executive Committee (nationally elected office).
• Member, AAPT Committee on Research in Physics Education.