Lora Henderson Smith

Lora Henderson Smith is an Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia's School of Education and Human Development. Her research addresses educational equity for marginalized groups, with a focus on culturally responsive practices, Indigenous youth, and school mental health. She employs mixed methods to examine how discrimination and systemic barriers affect development and advocates for restorative interventions.

Smith collaborates with Indigenous communities to co-design culturally valid programs and studies school transitions for students post-psychiatric hospitalization. Her recent work includes grants from the Spencer Foundation and partnerships with tribal schools.