Allison Rae Ward-Seidel

LIFE Fellow since 2023, University of Virginia

I am an Institute of Education Sciences fellow in my third year of a Ph.D. program in Education Psychology and Applied Developmental Science at UVA. I study identity development, specifically sociopolitical and ethnic-racial identity, and critical consciousness development among adolescents and pre-service teachers with aims toward social justice in education. Current research includes a randomized control trial evaluation of a schoolwide program focused on restorative practices, racial equity, and social emotional learning with Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility and a mixed methods study of the EL Education model focused on students’ sociopolitical development and meaningful school experiences. I earned my B.S. and M.A.T in Early Childhood Education from the University of Arkansas and earned my M.Ed. in Human Development and Psychology from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. I taught first and fourth grades for 5 years in a Title I public school in Springdale, Arkansas and 1 year in a charter school in Dallas, Texas. Though I love teaching, I returned to graduate school to study critical consciousness in teacher preparation and adolescent development, including sociopolitical development and a commitment to social justice.