PETER GRAY is a research professor of psychology at Boston College. He has conducted and published research in comparative, evolutionary, developmental, and educational psychology; published articles on innovative teaching methods and alternative approaches to education; and is author of Freedom to Learn (Basic) and Psychology (Worth Publishers), a leading introductory college textbook now in its 6th edition. He also authors a blog–entitled Freedom to Learn: The Roles of Play and Curiosity as Foundations for Learning–for Psychology Today magazine. He did his undergraduate study at Columbia University and earned a Ph.D. in biological sciences at Rockefeller University. His current writing focuses on the biological foundations for education and on the life-long value of play. His own play includes not only his research and writing, but also long distance bicycling, kayaking, and back-woods skiing.