Emily Machado

Emily Machado is an Associate Professor in the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She holds a PhD in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Illinois at Chicago (2018), an MAT in English for Speakers of Other Languages from American University (2011), and a BS in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University (2009). Her research focuses on multilingual literacy practices in early childhood classrooms, emphasizing translanguaging pedagogies and equity-driven educational approaches. Machado advocates for culturally sustaining practices that honor students' linguistic and cultural resources, particularly in linguistically diverse settings.

Her work includes exploring how young children utilize their full communicative repertoires (languages, literacies, cultural practices) in writing, and how educators can create inclusive classroom spaces. Notable contributions address liberatory pedagogies, intergenerational learning, and dismantling carceral logics in education. Machado has been recognized with awards including the Literacy Research Association's Early Career Achievement Award (2023) and multiple dissertation awards from the American Educational Research Association (2019–2020).

Machado's research extends to teacher education, examining how preservice teachers enact translanguaging strategies and resist linguistic ideologies that marginalize multilingual learners. Her community-focused initiatives include intergenerational storytelling workshops and collaborations with families to center culturally sustaining practices. She actively contributes to professional development programs for educators aiming to reimagine literacy instruction through an equity lens.

• Awards: Literacy Research Association Early Career Achievement Award, AERA SIG Early Career Award, and multiple Outstanding Dissertation Awards
• Key Themes: Translanguaging, Equity in Literacy Education, Early Childhood Pedagogy, Community-Based Learning
• Collaborations: Partnerships with urban schools, community libraries, and intergenerational programs