H. Gerald Campano

H. Gerald Campano is a Professor in the Learning, Teaching, and Literacies Division at the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE). He holds ancestral roots in the Philippines and has a decade-long career as a public-school teacher, earning district awards and recognition as a Carnegie Scholar. His work focuses on literacy education, critical ethnic studies, and community-based research methodologies emphasizing participatory approaches and educational justice.

Campano leads a research-practice partnership with a South Philadelphia faith-based organization, supported by grants from the Spencer Foundation and the American Educational Research Association. This partnership involves families from diverse backgrounds addressing social inequities and co-creating visions of educational justice. He also collaborates with the University of Guadalajara on transnational literacy education initiatives. Campano has co-edited Research in the Teaching of English and served as president of the National Council of Research on Language and Literacy (NCRLL).

His research emphasizes 'epistemic rights,' prioritizing community voices in inquiry. Awards include the David H. Russell Award (2009, 2018), Edward B. Fry Book Award (2017), and a Spencer Mentor Award (2021). Over 35 doctoral dissertations have been directed under his mentorship.

Recent projects highlight his focus on community-based research, as seen in his 2024 book Methods for Community-Based Research, which advocates for ethical collaborations and equitable educational arrangements. Campano’s work bridges academia and practice, advocating for marginalized communities’ agency in shaping educational policies.