Federico R. Waitoller

Federico R. Waitoller is a Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). His research focuses on inclusive education, particularly examining the intersection of disability, race, class, and geography in school choice policies. He holds a PhD from Arizona State University and has authored/co-authored influential books such as Excluded by Choice (2020) and Sustaining Disabled Youth (2023). Dr. Waitoller has been recognized with prestigious awards including the 2023 AERA Distinguished Researcher Award and a Fulbright Fellowship (2020).

His work critiques market-driven education reforms and their impact on students with disabilities, emphasizing intersectional frameworks. Current research includes a Spencer Foundation-funded study on urban parents’ navigation of school choice in Bilbao, Spain. He actively engages with communities through policy advocacy and has presented globally at venues like the European Cities Against School Segregation Conference and AERA annual meetings.

Educational background: PhD in Special Education (Arizona State University, 2011), MEd (University of Washington, 2007), BA in Psychology (Columbia College, 2003). Professional affiliations include the Council for Exceptional Children and American Educational Research Association.