Dr. Peter Gray was a full-time professor of psychology at Boston College for thirty years, where he served his department at various times as Department Chair, Undergraduate Program Director, and Graduate Program Director. He has published research in biological, evolutionary, cultural, developmental and educational psychology; published articles on innovative teaching methods; taught more than twenty different undergraduate courses, including, most regularly, introductory psychology; helped develop a university-wide program to improve college students’ learning and study skills; and developed a program of research practicum courses. He is now retired from regular teaching, but maintains a position as Research Professor at Boston College. Most of his current research and writing has to do with the value of play, especially free age-mixed play, in children’s development. He is author of a popular weekly blog entitled Freedom to Learn: The Roles of Play and Curiosity as Foundations for Learning.

Before joining Boston College, Dr Gray studied psychology as an undergraduate at Columbia University and earned a Ph.D. in biological sciences at Rockefeller University. O gray earned his way through college by coaching basketball and working with youth groups in New York City. As a graduate student he directed a summer biology program for talented high school students from impoverished neighborhoods. His avocations today include kayaking, long distance bicycling, and backwoods skiing.