Murray State University endowed professor becomes editor-in-chief of two international journals with launch of new STEM education journal

By MSU Public Relations | Jul 29, 2026

MURRAY, Ky. — Dr. Christopher Craig, Tom W. Hutchens Endowed Professor of Management at Murray State University, recently became the editor-in-chief of two international journals with the recent launch of STEM Education, Teaching and Learning (SETL), a new international, peer-reviewed journal published by Emerald Publishing that advances rigorous, evidence-based scholarship focused on improving STEM teaching and learning.

The journal was established in response to the growing need for an interdisciplinary forum where educators and researchers from diverse fields can collaborate to develop evidence-based solutions to complex challenges facing higher education and society.

Through its mission, SETL supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) by promoting research that strengthens educational practice and expands access to high-quality education.

“As founding editor-in-chief, I have had the opportunity to help shape the journal from its inception, including developing its editorial vision, assembling an international editorial board and establishing policies that emphasize rigorous peer review, interdisciplinary collaboration and scholarly impact,” said Craig. “One aspect of the journal that particularly excites me is its interdisciplinary mission. While the journal focuses on STEM education, many of today's most significant educational challenges extend beyond any single discipline. SETL was intentionally designed to bring together scholars from business, education, science, technology, engineering, mathematics and related fields to advance research that improves teaching and learning through collaboration across traditional disciplinary boundaries.”

Scholarly publishing has become one important extension of Craig’s academic career. In addition to serving as founding editor-in-chief of STEM Education, Teaching and Learning, he also serves as editor-in chief of The CASE Journal (the official journal of The CASE Association), which presents students with a modern interpretation of discussion-based teaching, and equips the next generation of business professionals with the acumen to solve strategic problems in enterprise. In addition, Craig serves as associate editor of the Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism and as a member of the editorial boards of the Journal of Ecotourism and Tourism Recreation Research.

Craig joined Murray State University in 2019 as an assistant professor in the Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business. During his time at the University, he was promoted to professor, named the Tom W. Hutchens Endowed Professor of Management and recognized with awards for teaching, research and service. Among these honors are two internationally competitive teaching awards: the Academy of Management Distinguished Educator Awards (ONE Division) and the University of South Carolina Grand Page Prize for Sustainable Issues in Business Curricula. Craig has also received Murray State’s two highest research honors—the Presidential Research Award and the Distinguished Researcher Award—along with numerous college and departmental awards recognizing excellence in teaching, research and service.

Craig’s research examines how organizations respond to economic, environmental and social challenges through strategic management.

“Although my academic home is management, my scholarship intentionally crosses disciplinary boundaries and integrates management, applied climatology, sustainability, outdoor recreation and tourism, management education and STEM education,” said Craig. “My interdisciplinary work has also included leading a National Science Foundation-supported project that explored innovative approaches to integrating sustainability into business education. Across my research areas, I am interested in conducting rigorous, evidence-based scholarship that informs organizational decision making, advances higher education, and creates meaningful impact for organizations and society.”

The launch of STEM Education, Teaching and Learning represents an exciting opportunity to bring together educators and researchers from around the world to advance evidence-based teaching and learning. Many of the challenges facing higher education and society today—including artificial intelligence, climate change, workforce development and student success—are inherently interdisciplinary and require collaboration across traditional academic boundaries.

Craig said he is excited to help build an international scholarly community dedicated to improving STEM education while showcasing the important role that Murray State University faculty can play in shaping global conversations surrounding teaching, learning and educational innovation. He hopes the journal becomes a catalyst for research that advances scholarship while creating meaningful impact for educators, students, organizations and society.

"Launching a new scholarly journal is an opportunity to establish high standards from the beginning,” said Craig. “My goal is to build a journal known for rigorous scholarship, interdisciplinary collaboration and research that improves teaching and learning."

To learn more about STEM Education, Teaching and Learning, visit emerald.com/setl.

To learn more about The CASE Journal, visit bit.ly/4x954Ff.