Leana Cabral
Senior Research Associate
Pronouns: She/Her
Degrees
- Ph.D. in Sociology & Education: Teachers College, Columbia University
- B.A. in Comparative Women's Studies: Spelman College
About Leana Cabral
Dr. Leana Cabral is a Senior Research Associate at RFA. With a background in sociology and education, she brings extensive experience conducting research in schools and in out-of-school programs. Her areas of expertise include educator diversity as well as Black teacher and Black student experiences. At RFA, Dr. Cabral has developed a portfolio of participatory action research (PAR) methodological approaches that center the expertise and experiences of those who are closest to the site of inquiry but have been traditionally excluded. Currently, she co-directs a national PAR project with Black teacher-researchers from five cities around the country. She also supports projects that include a community-engaged research approach. Dr. Cabral is committed to drawing on community members’ strengths as partners rather than solely “subjects” in research—as a critical step in transformational and positive social change. Prior to RFA and her Ph.D. program at Teachers College, Dr. Cabral worked in the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Education and in the out-of-school time space in Philadelphia and New York City.
