A Journey Through Disciplines
Roger’s educational journey began with a focus on chemistry, driven by an inspiring high school teacher. But when he arrived at the University of California, San Diego, chemistry didn’t seem like the right fit. "The chemistry building just didn’t agree with my nose," Roger recalls, with a laugh. From there, he embarked on a surprising pivot to German literature before discovering his true calling in astronomy and physics. "At UCLA, where I transferred, you had to do a lot of physics to study astronomy," he explains. He soon found that his physics professors captivated him even more than the astronomy ones, and so physics became his chosen path.
Roger’s shift from experimental to theoretical physics came in equally unusual fashion. As a Ph.D. student at Stanford University, he spent long nights at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center—until a midnight incident involving a burst water main and a challenging search for a shut-off valve made him rethink doing experimental physics. "There I was at 3 a.m., with high-energy particles whizzing overhead, and I thought, ‘Maybe theoretical physics is where I belong,’" he recounts with humor. This episode, along with a few other “clues” from lab mishaps, ultimately guided him toward theoretical research, culminating in a Ph.D. and a rewarding academic career.
Finding a Home in Teaching
Roger’s passion for teaching started early, while working as a teaching assistant throughout his five years at Stanford. His first full-time teaching experience came during a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Washington. As he reflects on that time, Roger speaks warmly about the joy of engaging students with challenging questions and novel teaching techniques. “The traditional lecture is one-way,” he notes, “but with a classroom response system, I could understand what they actually got and what they didn’t.” Roger pioneered the use of response systems to encourage student participation and expose common misconceptions, often handing out candies as small rewards for those who participated.
Roger was also an early pioneering user of the flipped classroom model, in which students watch video lectures before class, freeing up time for interactive problem-solving during the session. “It’s all about putting students in the driver’s seat,” he says. "With the flipped classroom, I could crowdsource topics for each class based on their questions, creating more time for engaging discussions." This approach, Roger found, not only empowered students but also provided valuable insights that he would later bring into his textbook writing.
From Teaching to Writing
Roger’s journey into textbook authorship was a story of serendipity. As he remembers with a chuckle, “I once said the great thing about physics is that you don’t have to do much writing!” But fate had other plans. Roger’s approachability with visiting sales representatives eventually led him to be recruited for his first major textbook project. Over the years, Roger brought his deep teaching experience and innovative approaches to his books, with interactive features that mirrored his classroom methods. “The goal was to bring the classroom into the textbook,” he explains. His books include strategically placed questions that reflect the real-time feedback he used in his courses, allowing students to check their understanding as they go.
In his college physics textbook, Roger’s goal was to dismantle common misconceptions that many students bring into introductory courses. “By the time students reach college, they’ve had 18 years of ‘everyday physics,’ like catching balls and flipping switches,” he says. This “common sense” knowledge, Roger points out, often aligns with the physics of Aristotle rather than Newton. "In the textbook, we address these preconceived notions head-on, guiding students toward a deeper, more accurate understanding."
Comic-Con, Science Fiction, and Physics Comics
Today, Roger’s commitment to combining physics and storytelling lives on through an initiative called Physics Comics and Stories. Developed in collaboration with a fellow physics professor and cartoonist, this project creates physics-based comic stories aimed at high school and college students. “Comics and graphic novels are powerful tools for learning,” Roger explains. “Research shows that visual storytelling can improve retention and understanding.” The series, produced in both English and Spanish, is a testament to Roger’s belief that physics can be accessible, engaging, and even fun.
Taking Flight: A Passion for Aviation
One of Roger’s most cherished pursuits outside of physics is aviation. Inspired by his father, who was an aerospace engineer, Roger developed an early fascination with airplanes. It wasn’t until his postdoctoral years that he pursued flying lessons, eventually earning a commercial pilot’s license with more than 4,000 hours of flight time. "Flying is the ultimate way to see the world," he shares. His aviation adventures have taken him across the United States, as well as Canada, Western Europe, and Southern Africa.
Flying has also provided Roger with memorable perspectives, quite literally. He fondly recalls a flight over St. Louis, where air traffic control directed him over the Cardinals’ stadium just in time to see the team running onto the field. During the pandemic, flying offered an ideal form of social distancing—5,000 feet above everyone else. For Roger, flying is not only a hobby but a unique way to explore and experience the world, adding another dimension to a life driven by curiosity and discovery.
A Legacy of Curiosity and Innovation
Roger Freedman’s career is a testament to the power of curiosity, adaptability, and a passion for teaching. From his early forays in different fields to his dedication to physics education, he has shaped his path with an open mind and a willingness to try new things. Whether in the classroom, through textbooks, or via comic books, Roger’s influence on students has been profound, inspiring countless learners to approach physics with curiosity and creativity.
Today, Roger continues to push the boundaries of how we think about science education, making physics approachable for students of all backgrounds. His story reminds us that the journey of learning is filled with unexpected twists, and that sometimes, the greatest impact comes from exploring new ideas and sharing them with others.
