Jim Ratcliffe
Anthropology graduate from Bates College, with PhD from Michigan State University and MA from Stanford University. Currently working as Designer at Hasso Plattner Institute of Design, Stanford. Founder of Himalayan Educators Development Project.
| Headline: | Entrepreneur |
| Skills: | Design, HTML / CSS, Web Development |
| Interested in: | Brainstorming, Finding business partners, Finding cofounders, Finding team mates, Meeting new people, Professional opportunities, Promoting my startups, Recruiting for my startup |
| Schools: | Bates College, Michigan State University, Stanford University |
WORK EXPERIENCE
| Employer: | Hasso Plattner Institute of Design, Stanford University |
| Position: | Designer |
| Time period: | August 2008 - Present |
| Description: | • Designing innovative educational programs with Stanford University’s d.school and partners in India, Bhutan and the United States |
| Employer: | Freelance |
| Position: | Freelance Science Writer |
| Time period: | June 2005 - Present |
| Description: | • Writing and editing high interest feature articles and other content for major publishers
• Clients include: Kaplan Review, Holt Rinehart and Winston, Scott Foresman/Addison Wesley, Edutorial, Sleek Software, Publisher’s Partnership, Anthology, CK12 Foundation, and Symmetry |
| Employer: | Himalayan Educators Development Project |
| Position: | Founder |
| Time period: | August 2002 - Present |
| Description: | • Established a consultancy that works with government agencies and NGOs to produce quality educational materials aligned with the needs of educators working in resource-poor environments
• Funded by US-AEP/AUSAID Project EcoWatch to research, write, and publish Explore Your World! a 300 pp environmental science activity handbook for Primary and Secondary teachers in Sikkim, India • Funded by US-AEP/AUSAID Gangtok Water Supply and Sanitation Project to research, write, and publish Your Health is in Your Hands! a 60 pp health and hygiene activity handbook for Primary and Secondary teachers in Sikkim, India • Researched and reported on the status of secondary education in Sikkim, India; helped government agencies and NGOs develop locally appropriate environmental science curricula • Conducted teacher training workshops in environmental education in partnership with local NGOS and the Government of Sikkim, India • Consulting for Taktse International School to develop science and technology curricula; teacher training in blog and web publishing; designed, edited, and published the school’s website and 2006, 2007 prospectus |
| Employer: | Kiva Microfunds, San Francisco, California |
| Position: | Intern |
| Time period: | December 2007 - July 2008 |
| Description: | Developing an online educational platform for Kiva Microfunds—an international online peer-to-peer microfinance organization |
| Employer: | Tech Tots, Austin, Texas |
| Position: | Volunteer |
| Time period: | May 1999 - April 2002 |
| Description: | Trained low-income families with preschool-age children in the use of computers and educational software |
| Employer: | Secondary Science, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Austin, TX |
| Position: | Editor II |
| Time period: | May 1998 - May 2005 |
| Description: | • Managed projects and worked with Design, Photo Research, Production, Marketing, and Editorial teams in a demanding publishing environment
• Researched, wrote, and edited science textbooks and ancillary materials to meet state and national guidelines for science education • Contracted and supervised authors, reviewers, and consultants to produce high quality publications within deadline • Facilitated interdepartmental communication and implemented strategies to improve efficiency and reduce costs • Assisted in the preparation of detailed annual budgets in excess of $5 million • Collaborated with marketing and sales to develop marketing strategies to increase market share of science programs • Served for five years on the HRW Civic and Charitable Board, evaluating grant proposals and distributing and monitoring investments in excess of $250,000 |
| Employer: | Ashoka, Innovators for the Public, Washington, DC |
| Position: | Assistant Program Manager |
| Time period: | June 1995 - July 1996 |
| Description: | Supported a fellowship of nearly 800 social entrepreneurs with innovative solutions for social and environmental problems in Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Indonesia |
EDUCATION
| University: | Stanford University |
| Time period: | 2006 - 2008 |
| Degree: | Education with a concentration in Learning, Design, and Technology, MA |
| University: | Michigan State University |
| Time period: | 2005 - 2007 |
| Degree: | Learning, Technology, and Culture, PhD |
| University: | Bates College |
| Time period: | 1990 - 1995 |
| Degree: | Anthropology with a focus on South Asian Studies, BA |
