Allison Rae Ward-Seidel

LIFE Fellow from 2023 to 2025, University of Virginia

UVA Fellow Speaker

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.

Dissertation Completed in March 2025

Middle School Conditions that Promote Early Adolescent Thriving

(Advisor: Sara Rimm-Kaufman)

Selected Publications

Gregory, A., Huang, F. L., & Ward-Seidel, A. R. (2024). Adolescent exposure to restorative practices and their perceptions of support, structure, and bullying in the school climate. AERA Open, 10. https://doi.org/10.1177/23328584241288525

Nigro, L., & Ward-Seidel, A. (2024). Reimagining early childhood education and school readiness through the perspectives of historically marginalized families living in a rural community. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/14639491241293479

Ward-Seidel, A. R., Rimm-Kaufman, S. E., & Sandilos, L. E. (2024). Schoolwork with purpose: A mixed methods study on youths’ perspective on what makes learning meaningful. Journal of Adolescent Research. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/07435584241280266