Lauri Johnson

Lauri Johnson, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at Boston College's Lynch School of Education and Human Development, specializing in Educational Leadership & Higher Education. With a career spanning over 20 years in K-12 education and academia, she focuses on culturally responsive leadership, urban school reform, and equity-focused education across international contexts.

• Director of PSAP Ed.D. program (2009-present)
• Chair of ELHE Department (2017-2021)
• Co-convener of WERA International Research Network (2015-present)

Her research examines community activism in school reform, leadership in high-poverty schools, and historical responses to educational inequities. With over 72 publications, her work spans comparative studies in the US, UK, Canada, and 20 countries through the ISSPP project.

Key article trends show growing focus on:

• Indigenous family-school-community engagement
• Historical leadership responses to racism
• Democratic leadership practices
• Comparative international education
• Culturally sustaining pedagogy
• Equity-focused educational reform

Awards & Appointments:

• 2020 David G. Imig Distinguished Service Award
• 2018 Best Paper Award from BELMAS
• 2008 AESA Critics Choice Award
• 2019-present Honorary Associate Professor, University of Nottingham
• 2015-2017 Distinguished Faculty Fellow, Western University

Her work bridges historical analysis with contemporary challenges, emphasizing educational advocacy and racial equity in leadership. As a former Fulbright Scholar to the UK, she contributes to global educational research networks while maintaining practical insights from her extensive K-12 experience.