Sarah Dryden-Peterson

Sarah Dryden-Peterson leads a research program that focuses on the connections between education and community development, specifically the role that education plays in building peaceful and participatory societies. In her field-based research globally, in her teaching, and in her role as founder and director of Refugee REACH, she examines what it would take for all children to access quality education, be part of welcoming communities, and contribute to building peaceful futures. Her research connects practice, policy, and scholarship and is strengthened through sustained collaborations with communities, NGOs, governments, and UN agencies, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries particularly those that are conflict-affected. Dryden-Peterson’s research has played critical roles in shaping global policy and local programs that have the potential to create quality, conflict-informed, and future-creating education for millions of children globally in settings of migration and displacement. Raised in Toronto, Canada, Dryden-Peterson taught primary and middle school in Madagascar, South Africa, and the United States.­ Learn more about her academic research publications and her Mowana Research Lab.

Areas of Expertise

• Civic Education
• Diversity
• Family Issues
• Immigrant Issues
• International Education
• Research Methods

Education

• Ed.D., Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2003-2009
• M.A., Education, Tufts University/Shady Hill School Cooperative, 1999-2000
• M.Phil., History Education, University of Cape Town, South Africa, 1998-1999
• B.A., Social Studies, Harvard University, 1993-1997

Awards

• Palmer O. Johnson Award for outstanding article, American Educational Research Association,(2018)
• National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation, Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2015-2017,(2015)
• Joyce Cain Award for distinguished research on African descendants, Comparative & International Education Society,(2011)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (2009-2012),(2009)
• Spencer Foundation Research Training Grant (2006-2007),(2006)
• Harvard University Presidential Fellow (2003-2007),(2003)
• Fulbright Scholar, Uganda (2002-2003),(2002)