John Howard Falk (born December 6, 1948) is Director of the Institute for Learning Innovation^[1] and Sea Grant Professor Emeritus of Free-Choice Learning at Oregon State University.^[2][3] He's a leading expert on "free-choice learning," learning guided by a person's needs and interests. At the Smithsonian Institution's Chesapeake Bay Center for Environmental Studies at Edgewater, Maryland, Falk spent over 13 years "studying lawns and how man relates to them."^[4] His current research focuses on the community impacts of museums, libraries, zoos, and aquariums; understanding the reasons people utilize free-choice learning settings during their spare time; and helping cultural institutions rethink their educational positioning in the contemporary era.

• Falk, J.H. (2021). "The Value of Museums: Enhancing Societal Well-Being" Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield
• Falk, J.H. & Dierking L.D. (2018). "Learning from Museums, 2nd Edition" Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield
• Falk, J.H. (2017). Born to Choose: Evolution, Self and Well-Being (Routledge).
• Falk, J.H. & Dierking, L.D. (2014). The Museum Experience Revisited. Walnut Creek, CA: Left Coast Press.^[5]
• Falk, J.H. (2009). Identity and the Museum Visitor Experience. Walnut Creek, CA: Left Coast Press.
• Falk, J.H., Heimlich, J.E., & Foutz, S. (eds.) (2009). Free-Choice Learning and the Environment. Lanham, MD: AltaMira Press.
• Falk, J.H., Bronnenkant, Vernon, C.L., & Heimlich, J.E., (2007). Visitor Evaluation Toolbox for Zoos and Aquariums. Silver Spring, MD: Association of Zoos & Aquariums.
• Yager, R. & Falk, J.H. (eds.) (2007). Exemplary Science Program: Informal Science Education. Washington, DC: National Science Teachers Association.
• Falk, J.H., Reinhard, E.M., Vernon, C.L., Bronnenkant, K., Deans, N.L., Heimlich, J.E., (2007). Why Zoos & Aquariums Matter: Assessing the Impact of a Visit. Silver Spring, MD: Association of Zoos & Aquariums.
• Falk, J.H., Dierking, L.D., & Foutz, S. (eds.) (2007) In Principle-In Practice: Museums as Learning Institutions. Lanham, MD: AltaMira Press.
• Stein, J., Dierking, L., Falk, J. & Ellenbogen, K. (eds.) (2006). Insights: A museum learning resource. Annapolis, MD: Institute for Learning Innovation. http://www.ilinet.org/ipip/In_Principle_In_Practice_Insights_-_A_Museum_Learning_Resource.pdf
• Falk, J.H. & Sheppard, B. (2006) Thriving in the Knowledge Age: New business models for museums and other cultural institutions. Lanham, MD: AltaMira Press.
• Caban, G., Scott, C., Falk, J.H. & Dierking, L.D. (2003) Museums and Creativity: A study into the role of museums in design education. Sydney, AU: Powerhouse Publishing.
• Falk, J.H. & Dierking, L.D. (2002) Lessons without Limit: How free-choice learning is transforming education. Lanham, MD: AltaMira Press.
• Falk, J.H. (Ed) (2001) Free-Choice Science Education: How We Learn Science Outside of School. New York, NY: Teacher's College Press, Columbia University.
• Falk, J.H. & Dierking, L.D. (2000) Learning from Museums: Visitor Experiences and the Making of Meaning. Lanham, MD: AltaMira Press.
• Falk, J.H. & Rosenberg, K. (1999). Bite-Sized Science. Chicago, IL: Chicago Review Press.
• Dierking, L.D., Falk, J.H., Holland, Fisher, S., Schatz, D. & Wilke, L. (1997). Collaborations: Critical Criteria for Success. Washington, DC: Association of Science-Technology Centers.
• Falk, J.H., Pruitt, R. II, Swift, K. & Katz, T. (1996). Bubble Monster and other science fun. Chicago, IL: Chicago Review Press.
• Falk, J.H. & Dierking, L.D. (Ed.) (1995). Public Institutions for Personal Learning: Establishing a Research Agenda. Washington, DC: American Association of Museums
• Falk, J.H. (1993) Factors Influencing Leisure Decisions: The Use of Museums by African Americans. Washington, DC: American Association of Museums.
• Falk, J.H. & Dierking, L.D. (1992). The Museum Experience. Washington, DC: Whalesback Books.
• Falk, J.H. (Ed.) (1989). Still More Smithsonian Science Activities New York: G.M.G. Publishing.
• Falk, J.H. (Ed.) (1988). More Smithsonian Science Activities New York: G.M.G. Publishing.
• Falk, J.H. (Ed.) (1987). Smithsonian Science Activities New York: G.M.G. Publishing.
• Falk, J.H. (1980). Lawn Guide. Nashua, N.H: Delta Publishing.
• Falk, J.H., Lawson, C. & Malone, L. (1973). The Lawn. Berkeley, CA: The Regents of the University of California, Berkeley. (out of print).

• Distinguished Career Award, NARST: An worldwide organization for improving science teaching and learning through research (2016)^[6]
• Oregon State University, University Outreach and Engagement Vice Provost Award for Excellence, Innovation-Partnerships Award (2016)^[7]
• Council of Scientific Society Presidents Award for Educational Research (2013)^[8]
• Invited by the National Science Foundation to present one of its annual Distinguished Lectures (2013)^[9]
• Named by News Digest International as one of the "Who's Who" of Academia (2013, 2014)
• John Cotton Dana Award for Leadership, American Association of Museums (2010)^[10]
• Selected to American Association of Museums’ Centennial Honor Roll—one of 100 most influential individuals in the museum community, 1906-2006 (2006)
• Marquis Who's Who in America (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)