Etienne Wenger is a Swiss educational theorist best known for his work on the concept of communities of practice. He has significantly contributed to understanding how people learn through social participation and collaboration in various settings, including workplaces and educational institutions. Wenger's ideas emphasize the importance of shared knowledge and experiences among individuals who engage in a common interest or profession. His influential book, Communities of Practice: Learning, Meaning, and Identity, co-authored with Jean Lave, outlines how learning occurs in social contexts and highlights the role of community in shaping identity and knowledge.