Professor of Education
Degree: Ed.D., Harvard University, (2009); M.A., Tufts University, (2000); M.Phil., University of Cape Town, (2000)
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Phone: 617.495.8142
Personal Site: Link to Site
Vitae/CV: Sarah Dryden-Peterson.pdf
Office: Gutman 457
Office Hours Contact: Email the Faculty Assistant to set up the appointment
Faculty Coordinator: Wendy Angus
Profile
Sarah Dryden-Peterson leads a research program that focuses on the connections between education and community development, specifically the role that education plays in building peaceful and participatory societies. In her field-based research globally, in her teaching, and in her role as founder and director of Refugee REACH, she examines what it would take for all children to access quality education, be part of welcoming communities, and contribute to building peaceful futures. Her research connects practice, policy, and scholarship and is strengthened through sustained collaborations with communities, NGOs, governments, and UN agencies, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries particularly those that are conflict-affected. Dryden-Peterson’s research has played critical roles in shaping global policy and local programs that have the potential to create quality, conflict-informed, and future-creating education for millions of children globally in settings of migration and displacement. Raised in Toronto, Canada, Dryden-Peterson taught primary and middle school in Madagascar, South Africa, and the United States. Learn more about her academic research publications and her Mowana Research Lab.
Click here to see a full list of Sarah Dryden-Peterson's courses.
Areas of Expertise
Research
Breaking the Link Between Exclusion and Conflict: Education in Botswana
This study examines the role of education in socio-political stability in Botswana, particularly how students learn through formal education about national belonging, ways of contributing to society, and dissent. Data include interviews, school-based observation, and participatory action research with Junior Secondary School students. Funded by the Harvard Academy Junior Faculty Development Grant and the Harvard Research Enabling Grant. Principal Investigator: Sarah Dryden-Peterson.
Education’s Role in Migration Decision-Making: Syrian refugee youth in Lebanon
This study examines the complex interplay between conflict, education, and migration. Through longitudinal qualitative data collected with Syrian refugees in Lebanon, we seek to understand how young people in conflict settings experience and explain migration decisions and the connection between those decisions and their views of and experiences with education. Funded by the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs Grant for Faculty Research. Principal Investigator: Sarah Dryden-Peterson.
Learning for All: Improving Access to a Meaningful Education Globally
This study aims to identify and test promising local and global levers to improve literacy and civic engagement for all students. The project is comparative, with sites in Peru, Colombia, Botswana, and Brazil and includes partnerships with Ministries of Education and universities. Funded by the Harvard Graduate School of Education Dean’s Venture Fund, the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, the Harvard Center for African Studies, and the Lemann Brazil Research Fund at Harvard University. Co-Investigators: Felipe Barrera-Osorio, Sarah Dryden-Peterson, and Paola Uccelli.
Transnationalism in Refugee Education: Harnessing Resources through Diaspora
This study examines the ways in which Somali refugee students in refugee camps and Somali Diaspora outside of refugee camps build and sustain relationships, and the benefits they draw from these relationships, particularly related to education. Data include in-depth interviews with young people in the Dadaab refugee camps in Kenya and an online survey of Somali Diaspora. Funded by the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs Grant for Faculty Research. Principal Investigator: Sarah Dryden-Peterson.
Development and Implementation of Refugee Education Strategies
This study investigates the processes of implementing the UNHCR Education Strategy 2012-2016 in 14 priority countries (Bangladesh, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Kenya, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, and Yemen). Data include documents, interviews, and field-based case studies. Funded by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Principal Investigator: Sarah Dryden-Peterson.
Diaspora Involvement in Educational Development in Conflict-Affected Settings: Transnational innovations in provision of high quality education for marginalized children
The study aims examines promising transnational educational practices and partnerships between Diasporas, Ministries of Education, donors, NGOs, and local communities in addressing the global challenge of providing quality education for children in conflict settings. Data include in-depth interviews. Funded by the Harvard University William F. Milton Fund and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Principal Investigator: Sarah Dryden-Peterson.
Awards
Palmer O. Johnson Award for outstanding article, American Educational Research Association,(2018)
National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation, Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2015-2017,(2015)
Joyce Cain Award for distinguished research on African descendants, Comparative & International Education Society,(2011)
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (2009-2012),(2009)
Spencer Foundation Research Training Grant (2006-2007),(2006)
Harvard University Presidential Fellow (2003-2007),(2003)
Fulbright Scholar, Uganda (2002-2003),(2002)
Sponsored Projects
Refugee Education: Building Durable futures (REBuilD) (2018-2020)
Peace Research Institute Oslo
REBuilD examines the structures, content, and pedagogy of education across different types of education. Three sites have been selected for study – Lebanon, Kenya and Uganda –that allow to study three models:• Integration of refugees in national schools where refugee schools are spatially separate in camps (Kenya)• Integration into national schools where children of refugees and citizens go to school in different shifts (Lebanon)• Full integration in national schools (Uganda)Dr. Dryden-Peterson is responsible for site research in Lebanon. The study explores how refugees’ daily experiences in classrooms affect their current membership in society civically, politically, socially, and culturally. With a research design that purposively compares different types of education, study will be able to draw conclusions that can inform policy and programming about school structures, content, and pedagogy.
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