Nicol R. Howard, PhD is an Assistant Professor and program coordinator in the School of Education’s Department of Teaching and Learning at the University of Redlands. Dr. Howard is also the Co-Director of the Race in Education Analytics Learning Lab (REAL Lab) in the Center for Educational Justice where she engages students in quantitative and mixed methods research projects that allow them to critically examine systems, policies, and practices as they seek change within their various professional contexts. Dr. Howard’s research foci are digital equity, STEM and computer science equity and identity, and parent involvement. Recently, she has been examining family-school partnerships and the racialized experiences of Black girls and families in digital learning spaces, as well as mathematics and computer science classrooms, through quantitative and mixed methods studies. In addition to her journal publications.

Dr. Howard has published works in practitioner-focused outlets and has co-authored three books: Closing the Gap: Digital Equity Strategies for Teacher Prep Programs, Closing the Gap: Digital Equity Strategies for the K-12 Classroom, and Coding+Math: Strengthen K-5 Math Skills with Computer Science. She is also a co-editor for the Journal of Computer Science Integration. Additionally, Dr. Howard has served as chair for the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Technology, Instruction, Cognition, and Learning SIG. She has served on the board of directors for the California Council on Teacher Education (CCTE), where she is currently the co-chair for their Technology and Teacher Education SIG, Policy Committee, and the Spring Policy Action Network (SPAN).