Larry Nucci
Professor Emeritus
Educational Psychology
About
Larry Nucci is Professor Emeritus of Educational Psychology at UIC and was an Adjunct Professor in the Berkeley School of Education at the University of California (2018-2025). He was the Chairperson of Educational Psychology at UIC (1985-1988 and 1991-1994). Nucci has published extensively on children’s moral and social development and education. He is a pioneer in the educational application of what is referred to as domain theory in which distinctions are drawn between morality and the conventions of society. An aspect of his work on social development has focused on children's judgments about issues considered personal matters of privacy and discretion. This research has been carried out in cross-cultural contexts including Asia and Latin America.
His most recent book, Moral education for social justice (co-authored with Robyn Ilten-Gee (Teachers College Press, 2021) received the 2022 AERA Moral Development and Education SIG Book of the Year Award. His other books include Nice is Not Enough: Facilitating Moral Development (Pearson, 2009) and Education in the Moral Domain (Cambridge University Press, 2001). He has edited an additional seven books. These include his role as the senior editor of The Handbook of Moral and Character Education (3rd edition, 2025). He served as Editor in Chief of the journal Human Development from 2007 through 2019. He also served as the President of the Jean Piaget Society (1998-2001).
In 2017 his work in moral education was recognized by the Association for Moral Education with the Kuhmerker Career Award for Outstanding Contributions to Research and Practice in Moral Education. He also received the Sanford N. McDonnell Award for Lifetime Achievement in Character Education (given by the Character Education Partnership, 2020). He received the UIC Award for Excellence in Teaching (2001), and the UIC Silver Circle Award for Teaching Excellence (2005).
Check out Dr. Nucci's resource for teachers to learn more about moral education for social justice: moraledk12.org