Meira Levinson

All Publications

• Reprint: Moral Injury and the Ethics of Educational Injustice HARVARD EDUCATIONAL REVIEW Levinson, M. 2025; 95 (2)

  View details for Web of Science ID 001585737800009

• It changes again... THEORY AND RESEARCH IN EDUCATION Levinson, M. 2024; 22 (2): 164-171

  View details for DOI 10.1177/14778785241258523

  View details for Web of Science ID 001237669400001

• Philosophical Reflections on Teachers' Ethical Dilemmas in a Global Pandemic STUDIES IN PHILOSOPHY AND EDUCATION Gurr, S. K., Geron, T., Forster, D. J., Levinson, M. 2025; 44 (2): 187-207

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s11217-024-09937-4

  View details for Web of Science ID 001208202200001

• The Ethics of World-Building in Normative Case Studies EDUCATIONAL THEORY Geron, T., Levinson, M. 2024; 74 (3): 293-300

  View details for DOI 10.1111/edth.12612

  View details for Web of Science ID 001130561200001

• We need a field of educational ethics THEORY AND RESEARCH IN EDUCATION Levinson, M. 2023; 21 (2): 197-215

  View details for DOI 10.1177/14778785231187193

  View details for Web of Science ID 001025317700001

• "The power of open dialogue": Using normative case studies to facilitate ethical dilemmas discussions among school teachers TEACHING AND TEACHER EDUCATION Ta, T., Geron, T., Levinson, M., Bogia, M. 2023; 132

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.tate.2023.104237

  View details for Web of Science ID 001034458200001

• Social Determinants of Learning: Implications for Research, Policy, and Practice AERA OPEN Levinson, M., Cohen, A. K. 2023; 9

  View details for DOI 10.1177/23328584231206087

  View details for Web of Science ID 001090955200001

• Conceptions of Educational Equity AERA OPEN Levinson, M., Geron, T., Brighouse, H. 2022; 8

  View details for DOI 10.1177/23328584221121344

  View details for Web of Science ID 000859968700001

• Health Equity, Schooling Hesitancy, and the Social Determinants of Learning LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-AMERICAS Levinson, M., Geller, A. C., Allen, J. G., Lancet COVID-19 Commission 2021; 2: 100032

  Abstract

  At least 62 million K-12 students in North America-disproportionately low-income children of color- have been physically out of school for over a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These children are at risk of significant academic, social, mental, and physical harm now and in the long-term. We review the literature about school safety and the conditions that shape families' and teachers' choices to return to in-person schooling. We identify four causes of schooling hesitancy in the U.S. even where schools can be safely reopened: high community transmission rates; the politicization of school re-openings; long-term racialized disinvestment in urban districts; and parents' rational calculations about their family's vulnerability due to the social determinants of health. Given the deep interconnections between the social determinants of health and of learning, and between schooling hesitancy and community vulnerability, stark inequities in in-person schooling access and take-up are likely to persist. We recommend that school districts invest in scientifically-based facilities upgrades, increased nursing and counseling staffing, and preparation for schools to serve as pediatric vaccination sites. School districts should also apply lessons from public health about addressing vaccine hesitancy to the challenge of schooling hesitancy by investing time in humble listening to parents and teachers about their concerns.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.lana.2021.100032

  View details for Web of Science ID 000886648300018

  View details for PubMedID 36588583

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC9790768

• Reopening Primary Schools during the Pandemic. The New England journal of medicine Levinson, M., Cevik, M., Lipsitch, M. 2020; 383 (10): 981-985

  View details for DOI 10.1056/NEJMms2024920

  View details for PubMedID 32726550

• The ethics of risk displacement in research and public policy BIOETHICS Vong, G., Levinson, M. 2020; 34 (9): 918-922

  Abstract

  We identify three distinct ethical problems that can arise with risk displacement. Risk displacement is the shifting of extant risk from one or more individuals to other individual(s) such that the reduction of risk to the first group is causally implicated in increasing risk to the second group. These problems are: concentration of risk in inequitable ways; transfer of risk to already vulnerable or disadvantaged populations; and exercise of undue influence over potential research participants. The first two arise in both public policy and research initiatives, whereas the third is a special concern that only applies to research initiatives. We argue that when one or more of these is of high magnitude, then the study or policy intervention may be ethically wrong. Finally, we conclude that although some risk displacement is ethically permissible, researchers and policymakers still have ethical reasons to reduce the magnitude of these problems.

  View details for DOI 10.1111/bioe.12726

  View details for Web of Science ID 000518581100001

  View details for PubMedID 32090354

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC8287306

• Demoralized: Why Teachers Leave the Profession They Love and How They Can Stay (Book Review) EDUCATIONAL THEORY Book Review Authored by: Smith, B., Benson, K. E., Levinson, M., Stengel, B. S. 2019; 69 (3): 341-354

  View details for Web of Science ID 000505315500005

• Polarization, Partisanship, and Civic Education PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES ON MORAL AND CIVIC EDUCATION: SHAPING CITIZENS AND THEIR SCHOOLS Levinson, M., Reid, E. edited by Macleod, C., Tappolet, C. 2019: 86-112

  View details for Web of Science ID 000587722000006

• Teaching Democracy in POLARIZING TIMES EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP Fay, J., Levinson, M. 2017; 75 (3): 62-67

  View details for Web of Science ID 000436524400013

• The ethics of biosafety considerations in gain-of-function research resulting in the creation of potential pandemic pathogens. Journal of medical ethics Evans, N. G., Lipsitch, M., Levinson, M. 2015; 41 (11): 901-8

  Abstract

  This paper proposes an ethical framework for evaluating biosafety risks of gain-of-function (GOF) experiments that create novel strains of influenza expected to be virulent and transmissible in humans, so-called potential pandemic pathogens (PPPs). Such research raises ethical concerns because of the risk that accidental release from a laboratory could lead to extensive or even global spread of a virulent pathogen. Biomedical research ethics has focused largely on human subjects research, while biosafety concerns about accidental infections, seen largely as a problem of occupational health, have been ignored. GOF/PPP research is an example of a small but important class of research where biosafety risks threaten public health, well beyond the small number of persons conducting the research.We argue that bioethical principles that ordinarily apply only to human subjects research should also apply to research that threatens public health, even if, as in GOF/PPP studies, the research involves no human subjects. Specifically we highlight the Nuremberg Code's requirements of 'fruitful results for the good of society, unprocurable by other methods', and proportionality of risk and humanitarian benefit, as broad ethical principles that recur in later documents on research ethics and should also apply to certain types of research not involving human subjects. We address several potential objections to this view, and conclude with recommendations for bringing these ethical considerations into policy development.

  View details for DOI 10.1136/medethics-2014-102619

  View details for PubMedID 26320212

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4623968

• No justice, no teachers: Theorizing less-unjust teacher firings in Los Angeles Unified THEORY AND RESEARCH IN EDUCATION Levinson, M., Theisen-Homer, V. 2015; 13 (2): 139-154

  View details for DOI 10.1177/1477878514566556

  View details for Web of Science ID 000437802800001

• Moral Injury and the Ethics of Educational Injustice HARVARD EDUCATIONAL REVIEW Levinson, M. 2015; 85 (2): 61-86

  View details for Web of Science ID 000356399900003

• The ethics of pandering in Boston Public Schools' school assignment plan THEORY AND RESEARCH IN EDUCATION Levinson, M. 2015; 13 (1): 38-55

  View details for DOI 10.1177/1477878515569034

  View details for Web of Science ID 000437801300004

• What Is Wrong With Grade Inflation (if Anything)? PAIDEUSIS-THE JOURNAL OF THE CANADIAN PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION SOCIETY Finefter-Rosenbluh, I., Levinson, M. 2015; 23 (1): 3-21

  View details for Web of Science ID 000376567300002

• Reply to Critics: A Citizen for All Seasons? The Promises and Perils of a Trans-Ideological Vision of Civic Empowerment Levinson, M. edited by Gauthier, J. PHILOSOPHY DOCUMENTATION CTR. 2015: 183-193

  View details for DOI 10.5840/socphiltoday201551814

  View details for Web of Science ID 000371443500016

• Response to the Review Symposium of <i>No Citizen Left Behind</i> STUDIES IN PHILOSOPHY AND EDUCATION Levinson, M. 2013; 32 (6): 667-670

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s11217-013-9368-1

  View details for Web of Science ID 000325889800008

• R&D: Prepare students to be citizens PHI DELTA KAPPAN Levinson, M. 2012; 93 (7): 66-69

  View details for DOI 10.1177/003172171209300716

  View details for Web of Science ID 000302673000019

• Democracy, accountability, and education THEORY AND RESEARCH IN EDUCATION Levinson, M. 2011; 9 (2): 125-144

  View details for DOI 10.1177/1477878511409622

  View details for Web of Science ID 000437787700002

• 'Let Us Now Praise ... ' Rethinking Role Models and Heroes in an Egalitarian Age PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION IN THE ERA OF GLOBALIZATION Levinson, M. edited by Raley, Y., Preyer, G. 2009: 129-161

  View details for Web of Science ID 000274060700009

• Common schools and multicultural education JOURNAL OF PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION Levinson, M. 2007; 41 (4): 625-642

  View details for DOI 10.1111/j.1467-9752.2007.00587.x

  View details for Web of Science ID 000253480100009

• Democracy at Risk: How Political Choices Undermine Citizen Participation and What We Can Do About It DEMOCRACY AT RISK: HOW POLITICAL CHOICES UNDERMINE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT Macedo, S., AlexAssensoh, Y., Berry, J. M., Brintnall, M., Campbell, D. E., Fraga, L. R., Fung, A., Galston, W. A., Karpowitz, C. F., Levi, M., Levinson, M., Lipsitz, K., Niemi, R. G., Putnam, R. D., Rahn, W. M., Reich, R., Rodgers, R. R., Swanstrom, T., Walsh, K. C. 2005: 1-228

  View details for Web of Science ID 000302219200007

• Conclusion: Assessing Our Political Science of Citizenship DEMOCRACY AT RISK: HOW POLITICAL CHOICES UNDERMINE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT Macedo, S., Alex-Assensoh, Y., Berry, J. M., Brintnall, M., Campbell, D. E., Fraga, L., Fung, A., Galston, W. A., Karpowitz, C. F., Levi, M., Levinson, M., Lipsitz, K., Niemi, R. G., Putnam, R. D., Rahn, W. M., Reich, R., Rodgers, R. R., Swanstrom, T., Walsh, K., Macedo, S., AlexAssensoh, Y., Berry, J., Brintnall, M., Campbell, D., Fraga, L., Fung, A., Galston, W., Karpowitz, C., Levi, M., Levinson, M., Lipsitz, K., Niemi, R., Putnam, R., Rahn, W., Reich, R., Rodgers, R., Swanstrom, T., Walsh, K. 2005: 155–78

  View details for Web of Science ID 000302219200006

• Associational Life and the Nonprofit and Philanthropic Sector DEMOCRACY AT RISK: HOW POLITICAL CHOICES UNDERMINE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT Macedo, S., Alex-Assensoh, Y., Berry, J. M., Brintnall, M., Campbell, D. E., Fraga, L., Fung, A., Galston, W. A., Karpowitz, C. F., Levi, M., Levinson, M., Lipsitz, K., Niemi, R. G., Putnam, R. D., Rahn, W. M., Reich, R., Rodgers, R. R., Swanstrom, T., Walsh, K., Macedo, S., AlexAssensoh, Y., Berry, J., Brintnall, M., Campbell, D., Fraga, L., Fung, A., Galston, W., Karpowitz, C., Levi, M., Levinson, M., Lipsitz, K., Niemi, R., Putnam, R., Rahn, W., Reich, R., Rodgers, R., Swanstrom, T., Walsh, K. 2005: 117–54

  View details for Web of Science ID 000302219200005

• The American Metropolis DEMOCRACY AT RISK: HOW POLITICAL CHOICES UNDERMINE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT Macedo, S., Alex-Assensoh, Y., Berry, J. M., Brintnall, M., Campbell, D. E., Fraga, L., Fung, A., Galston, W. A., Karpowitz, C. F., Levi, M., Levinson, M., Lipsitz, K., Niemi, R. G., Putnam, R. D., Rahn, W. M., Reich, R., Rodgers, R. R., Swanstrom, T., Walsh, K., Macedo, S., AlexAssensoh, Y., Berry, J., Brintnall, M., Campbell, D., Fraga, L., Fung, A., Galston, W., Karpowitz, C., Levi, M., Levinson, M., Lipsitz, K., Niemi, R., Putnam, R., Rahn, W., Reich, R., Rodgers, R., Swanstrom, T., Walsh, K. 2005: 67–116

  View details for Web of Science ID 000302219200004

• Toward a Political Science of Citizenship DEMOCRACY AT RISK: HOW POLITICAL CHOICES UNDERMINE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT Macedo, S., Alex-Assensoh, Y., Berry, J. M., Brintnall, M., Campbell, D. E., Fraga, L., Fung, A., Galston, W. A., Karpowitz, C. F., Levi, M., Levinson, M., Lipsitz, K., Niemi, R. G., Putnam, R. D., Rahn, W. M., Reich, R., Rodgers, R. R., Swanstrom, T., Walsh, K., Macedo, S., AlexAssensoh, Y., Berry, J., Brintnall, M., Campbell, D., Fraga, L., Fung, A., Galston, W., Karpowitz, C., Levi, M., Levinson, M., Lipsitz, K., Niemi, R., Putnam, R., Rahn, W., Reich, R., Rodgers, R., Swanstrom, T., Walsh, K. 2005: 1–20

  View details for Web of Science ID 000302219200002

• National Electoral Processes DEMOCRACY AT RISK: HOW POLITICAL CHOICES UNDERMINE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT Macedo, S., Alex-Assensoh, Y., Berry, J. M., Brintnall, M., Campbell, D. E., Fraga, L., Fung, A., Galston, W. A., Karpowitz, C. F., Levi, M., Levinson, M., Lipsitz, K., Niemi, R. G., Putnam, R. D., Rahn, W. M., Reich, R., Rodgers, R. R., Swanstrom, T., Walsh, K., Macedo, S., AlexAssensoh, Y., Berry, J., Brintnall, M., Campbell, D., Fraga, L., Fung, A., Galston, W., Karpowitz, C., Levi, M., Levinson, M., Lipsitz, K., Niemi, R., Putnam, R., Rahn, W., Reich, R., Rodgers, R., Swanstrom, T., Walsh, K. 2005: 21–66

  View details for Web of Science ID 000302219200003

• Democracy at Risk How Political Choices Undermine Citizen Participation and What We Can Do About It PREFACE DEMOCRACY AT RISK: HOW POLITICAL CHOICES UNDERMINE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT Macedo, S., Alex-Assensoh, Y., Berry, J. M., Brintnall, M., Campbell, D. E., Fraga, L., Fung, A., Galston, W. A., Karpowitz, C. F., Levi, M., Levinson, M., Lipsitz, K., Niemi, R. G., Putnam, R. D., Rahn, W. M., Reich, R., Rodgers, R. R., Swanstrom, T., Walsh, K., Macedo, S., AlexAssensoh, Y., Berry, J., Brintnall, M., Campbell, D., Fraga, L., Fung, A., Galston, W., Karpowitz, C., Levi, M., Levinson, M., Lipsitz, K., Niemi, R., Putnam, R., Rahn, W., Reich, R., Rodgers, R., Swanstrom, T., Walsh, K. 2005: VII-+

  View details for Web of Science ID 000302219200001