Manu Kapur

Manu Kapur, PhD, is a Professor of Learning Sciences and Higher Education at ETH Zurich, one of the world's leading universities. He is famous for pioneering the theory of "Productive Failure." Kapur’s research challenges the traditional educational model of "teach, then practice," advocating instead for designing difficult problems that force students to struggle before they are taught the solution.\n\nHe is the author of Productive Failure: Unlocking Deeper Learning Through the Science of Failing. Kapur provides scientific evidence that the brain learns best when it is forced to generate solutions and hit a wall. He distinguishes between "productive" failure (which leads to insight) and "unproductive" failure (which leads to frustration). His work has transformed how mathematics and science are taught in schools around the world.