Francesca T Durand, PhD is an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at Russell Sage College, in the department of Educational Leadership, Esteves School of Education, in Albany NY and is affiliated with the University at Albany, NY Kids (https://ny-kids.org/) as a researcher. She teaches research methods and leadership theory to P-16 education leaders. Dr. Durand’s research focus lies in cradle-to-career policy at the state and national level and understanding the impacts of critical discourse on policy conversations, development, and implementation. In addition, Durand studies the roles and practices of system leadership throughout P-12 schools and the impacts of decision-making, collaboration, communication, and trust. Previous research includes studies on the impacts of the Regents Reform Agenda in K-8 schools in New York State, development of school improvement tools for NYSED, and comparative studies of promising practices in positive outlier schools. Durand’s current research focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on the educator workforce, educational equity in odds-beating high schools, and data-driven instructional changes in K-8 schools.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 518-292-1835