Meghan Barnes

Meghan Barnes, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of English and Director of Graduate Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia (2017), an M.A.T. from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (2008), and a B.A. from the same institution (2007). Her research focuses on sociocultural theory in teacher education, emphasizing community engagement, social justice pedagogies, and pre-service teachers’ navigation of race and politics. She has published extensively in journals like Teaching and Teacher Education and Journal of Teacher Education, with a strong emphasis on reciprocal community partnerships and critical Whiteness studies.

Her work challenges traditional teacher preparation models by integrating experiential learning and service-learning frameworks. Barnes has presented at major conferences including the National Council of Teachers of English and the American Educational Research Association, focusing on topics like curriculum design, teacher attrition, and intersectionality in education. She teaches courses such as Teaching English/Communication Skills, Politics of Language, and Literature and Culture.

Her research highlights tensions between standardized educational practices and community-based approaches, advocating for pedagogical frameworks that prioritize social justice and equity. Barnes’ contributions bridge theory and practice, offering innovative strategies for preparing educators to address systemic inequities in schools.