Skip to main content

Adjunct Professor

mgspringer@unc.edu


Matthew G. Springer is an adjunct professor at the School of Data Science and Society while also serving as a managing partner at Basis Policy Research. Before rejoining Basis in 2024, Springer held the Robena and Walter E. Hussman Jr. Distinguished Professorship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 2018 to 2024 and was a public policy and education professor at Vanderbilt University from 2006 to 2018. With over 20 years of experience running large-scale research, evaluation and technical assistance projects, Matt has been a leader in studying educational innovations and policy advancements to improve educational opportunities. His current work involves developing a cross-sector data service that integrates large longitudinal administrative data systems, assisting agencies, researchers, practitioners and policymakers in making evidence-based decisions that improve operational effectiveness and program delivery.

Springer frequently consults for public leaders, government agencies and international organizations, including the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the National Governors Association, the governments of Brazil and the United Kingdom, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. His contributions to the field are well recognized, with regular publications in education and policy journals and featured in news outlets such as ABC World News Tonight, National Public Radio, The New York Times, Time magazine, and The Wall Street Journal. Springer is also a member of the board of directors for the Society for Research on Educational Effectiveness and serves on the editorial boards of the American Educational Research Journal and Education Researcher.