Fortney joins the Texas Tech University College of Education from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a clinical assistant professor in the College of Natural Sciences and the College of Education. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. Fortney's research interests are in preservice teacher beliefs about inquiry, teaching, and student learning in STEM classrooms, as well as preservice teacher beliefs about diversity and equity in STEM education. Further, how an individual's beliefs impact decisions made while teaching is a critical understanding to the field of teacher education in the STEM fields.