Catherine Hands

Dr. Catherine Hands is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies in the Faculty of Education at Brock University. She holds a PhD in Educational Administration from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. Prior to her academic career, she worked as an elementary teacher in the Montessori school system. Her professional experience includes roles as an educational researcher and consultant with Ontario school boards, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, and the Ontario Ministry of Education’s Parent Engagement Office. Internationally, she has served as a faculty member in the Leadership Studies department at the University of San Diego.

Education: PhD in Educational Administration (OISE, University of Toronto).

Research Interests:

• Educational Leadership
• School-Community Relations
• Family and Community Involvement in Education
• Professional Learning Communities
• Educational Policy
• Educational Change

Publications: Dr. Hands has authored and co-authored peer-reviewed articles and book chapters focusing on school-community partnerships, leadership roles in educational institutions, and strategies for inclusive education. Her work spans contexts from secondary schools to urban charter schools, emphasizing trust-building, collaborative strategies, and policy implications.

Awards: No scientific awards mentioned.

Advising/Grants: No advisees or grant information listed. No grants mentioned.

Labs/Teams: No specific labs or teams associated with her research are noted in the provided information.