Kristen Driscoll

Kristen Driscoll is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s College of Education. Her research examines intersections of federal/state educational policy, early literacy instruction, and equity in teacher education, with a focus on historically underserved children.

• B.A. in Early Childhood Education, Coastal Carolina University (2012)
• M.Ed. in Teaching & Learning (Literacy Specialization), Coastal Carolina University (2015)
• Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction – Literacy Studies, University of Colorado Boulder (2024)

Dr. Driscoll’s work emphasizes:

• Justice-oriented pedagogy in early literacy
• Critical analysis of evidence-based literacy practices
• Advocacy for racially/culturally diverse students
• Science of Reading policy implementation
• Preservice teacher development

Her publications address:

• Equity in literacy curriculum design
• Surveillance in educational accountability
• Bilingual family literacy strategies

She teaches CI 465 and CI 466 courses on early childhood language and literacy instruction, emphasizing culturally diverse settings.