Jessica Samuel

Jessica Samuel is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of African and African American Studies (AFAS) at Washington University in St. Louis. She holds a Ph.D. in American & New England Studies from Boston University. Her research focuses on the intersections of race, education, and the environment in the United States and the Caribbean, with a particular emphasis on conservation colonialism and its impacts on marginalized communities. Beyond academia, she actively engages in policy advocacy, political activism, and program development to advance equitable practices in education and broader societal contexts.

• Professional Affiliations: Member of the Racial Imbalance Advisory Council for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (2018–2024); Member of Education Leaders of Color (EdLoC).
• Key Projects: Dissertation titled “Consuming the U.S. Virgin Islands: Conservation and Education in America’s Paradise”, supported by the Social Welfare History Project, Gilder Lehrman Institute, Boston University’s Graduate Student Organization, and the Mellon Foundation.

Her work prioritizes the holistic development of marginalized communities through radical engagement and authentic connection, blending academic research with practical policy interventions.