Duncan Wardle
Former Head of Innovation & Creativity, The Walt Disney Company | Innovation & Creativity Keynote Speaker | Author of The Imagination Emporium
Eric Mazur
Balkanski Professor of Physics & Applied Physics, Harvard | Inventor of Peer Instruction & Flipped-Classroom Pioneer | Past President of Optica | Co-Founder, Perusall
Eric Mazur is a world-leading Harvard physicist and one of the most influential figures in higher education. The inventor of Peer Instruction and a pioneer of the flipped classroom, he has changed how science is taught at universities worldwide, while building education-technology ventures like Perusall, now used by millions of students. On stage, he challenges audiences to rethink how people really learn and offers evidence-based ways to build genuine understanding.
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Eric Mazur biography
Education speaker Eric Mazur is the Balkanski Professor of Physics and Applied Physics at Harvard University, a world-leading optical physicist, and one of the most influential voices in higher education. Best known as the inventor of Peer Instruction and a pioneer of the flipped classroom, he has reshaped how science is taught at universities around the world, turning the passive lecture into active, engaged learning.
At Harvard, Mazur leads one of the largest research groups in the Physics Department, studying the interaction of ultrashort laser pulses with matter and developing novel optical materials and devices, work with applications in data storage, photonics, and microfabrication. He served as Dean of Applied Physics from 2010 to 2021 and as Academic Dean for Applied Sciences and Engineering from 2021 to 2024, and is also a member of the faculty at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. A past president of Optica (formerly the Optical Society), he has chaired its foundation since 2021 and is a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences.
From the Lab to the Classroom and Beyond
Mazur’s influence reaches far beyond his own lectures. His book Peer Instruction: A User’s Manual has been adopted across science disciplines worldwide, and he has carried his ideas into entrepreneurship, co-founding SiOnyx, a pioneer in infrared sensor technology built on “black silicon” developed in his lab; Learning Catalytics, an interactive teaching platform later acquired by Pearson; and Perusall, a social learning platform now used by more than five million students at thousands of institutions across more than a hundred countries. His honors span both science and teaching, from fellowships in the major physics societies to awards for educational innovation.
As a speaker, Eric Mazur brings the rare authority of a top researcher who has also rethought teaching from the ground up. He challenges senior audiences to question why so many students can pass exams yet struggle to apply what they know, and offers evidence-based strategies for building genuine understanding, engagement, and critical thinking. Audiences leave with practical, research-tested ideas they can use to transform learning in classrooms and organizations alike.
Eric Mazur Speaking Videos
Eric Mazur – Peer Instruction For Active Learning
Eric Mazur – Why Can Students Pass Tests But Fail At Life?
Eric Mazur Keynote Topics
Eric Mazur argues that an education built on memorization and one-way lectures no longer prepares students for a fast-changing world. Drawing on decades of research, he makes the case for interactive, experiential learning that pushes students to engage actively and think for themselves, and shows how technology, used well, can make learning more personal and more powerful. A compelling vision for educators and leaders rethinking how to develop creative, independent minds.
Students can often recite facts and pass tests without truly grasping the underlying ideas. In this keynote, Eric Mazur examines how traditional teaching rewards rote recall at the expense of critical thinking and problem-solving, and lays out a more interactive, understanding-first approach proven to deepen learning. He also explores how technology can support genuine engagement rather than mere information delivery.
Eric Mazur turns a critical eye on how we test students, arguing that conventional exams and graded homework often reward memorization while quietly undermining motivation and deep understanding. He explains why a narrow focus on grades can disengage learners, and advocates for formative, holistic assessment, supported by technology, that measures and nurtures the thinking skills that actually matter.
Why do students learn more when they teach each other? Drawing on the research behind Peer Instruction and the flipped classroom, Eric Mazur shares the evidence and the practical methods that turn passive audiences into active learners. He offers educators and organizations concrete, tested techniques for boosting engagement, retention, and understanding, whether in a lecture hall or a corporate training room.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Eric Mazur
Why Eric Mazur?
Booking Eric Mazur gives your audience a rare combination: a world-class Harvard physicist who has also transformed how teaching is done. As the inventor of Peer Instruction and a pioneer of the flipped classroom, he has changed the way science is taught at universities worldwide, and as the co-founder of companies like SiOnyx and Perusall, he understands how research becomes real-world impact. What sets him apart on stage is his ability to back bold ideas with hard evidence, challenging audiences to rethink how people actually learn. For events on education, innovation, science, and the future of learning, he is an outstanding choice. Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you bring Eric Mazur to your next event.
What is Peer Instruction, the method Eric Mazur invented?
Peer Instruction is an interactive teaching method developed by Eric Mazur at Harvard in the early 1990s. Instead of delivering a traditional one-way lecture, the instructor poses conceptual questions and has students discuss and defend their answers with peers, surfacing misconceptions and deepening understanding. Backed by decades of research showing stronger learning gains than conventional lecturing, it has been adopted across science and other disciplines around the world.
What is Perusall?
Perusall is a social learning platform co-founded by Eric Mazur that turns reading and coursework into a collaborative experience, letting students annotate, question, and learn from one another. Born out of his research at Harvard, it is now used by more than five million students at thousands of institutions across more than a hundred countries, and is one of several education technology ventures Mazur has helped create.
What topics does Eric Mazur cover in his keynotes?
Eric Mazur speaks on the future of education, active and interactive learning, Peer Instruction and the flipped classroom, assessment and its effect on learning, and the role of technology in teaching. Drawing on his work as both a physicist and an education innovator, he tailors keynotes for academic, corporate, and innovation audiences. To check his availability and book him, contact Aurum Speakers Bureau.
How to book Eric Mazur as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Eric Mazur as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Eric Mazur's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Eric Mazur or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Eric Mazur speaking fee?
Eric Mazur speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Eric Mazur to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Eric Mazur.
How can I contact Eric Mazur?
We only work with Eric Mazur on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Eric Mazur and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Eric Mazur speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Eric Mazur for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Eric Mazur for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Eric Mazur is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Eric Mazur for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
