Persistent disparities within the field of physics, such as the underrepresentation of People of Color and mounting firsthand reports of harm experienced within physics environments, underscore the profound impacts of systemic oppression on both learners and professionals in this discipline^1-7. Critical frameworks like Critical Race Theory, queer theory, and critical disability studies offer lenses through which these impacts can be better understood. These theories illuminate a structure that valorizes whiteness while marginalizing People of Color.

Despite their potential for insight and progress, critical perspectives have increasingly become contentious and subject to censorship in the United States⁸. This peer-reviewed volume aims to address these issues directly by fostering discussions within the field of physics education that explore essential questions and provide educational resources. It seeks to deepen understanding of critical theories and their practical applications in physics education and pedagogy.