Patricia Burch

Patricia Burch is a Professor of Education at the University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education, where she also serves as Co-Faculty Director of the USC EdPolicy Hub and Co-director of the Center on Education, Policy, Equity and Governance (CEPEG). She holds a PhD in Education and an MA in Sociology from Stanford University.

Her research focuses on large-scale reforms in urban education systems, with expertise in:

• Educational privatization and 'hidden markets'
• Organizational and institutional theory
• Equity-focused policy analysis
• Mixed-methods research design
• K-12 education policy (teacher quality, after-school programs, instructional leadership)

Her recent publications (2015-2022) demonstrate sustained focus on privatization mechanisms, policy sociology, educational technology, and institutional change in urban contexts. Works frequently analyze intersections of market forces, accountability systems, and equity in diverse educational settings.

Awards:
USC Mentoring Award (2018)

Leadership:
She directs collaborative research at USC EdPolicy Hub examining market-education interdependencies in AI, juvenile justice, and alternative schooling. Former editor of Journal of Education Policy and current board member of AERA Open.