Her research focuses on philosophical and empirical questions concerning the relationship between schools and democratic society. Her research interests aim to answer two broad questions: 1. What educational aims and practices are most appropriate for preparing young people for living within a non-ideal democratic society (e.g. structural inequalities, political polarization)? 2. How should teachers and administrators make professional judgments about the dilemmas they face given non-ideal conditions? For example, what ethical challenges do teachers encounter when they engage students in discussions of controversial political issues?

She is the co-author of The Political Classroom: Evidence and Ethics in Democratic Education (Routledge, 2015), which won the Grawemeyer Book Award in Education and the Outstanding Book Award from the American Educational Research Association. Prior to her graduate work, she taught high school social studies for ten years in her home state of California.

She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Agnes Scott College and a PhD in education and psychology from the University of Michigan. She was also a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow at Michigan State University. For fun, she plays, runs, and does research on escape rooms.

Dr. Byrd’s research examines how positive school climates can bolster motivation, a sense of belonging, and academic success. In her outreach, she helps young people tell stories that inspire positive change in their communities through initiatives like #PassTheMicYouth and TEDxYouth@Chavis Way. Her co-authored book, Teaching Storytelling in Classrooms and Communities, was published in 2025.

Dr. Hoggan has been extensively involved in research and engagement projects in Central and Eastern Europe, including research on the learning needs of society in the wake of the influx of refugees from Syria (2015) and Ukraine (2022). He is a founding member of the Deutsch-Ukrainischer Dialog association, which facilitates support for Ukrainian refugees in southern Germany, as well as the integration between refugees and the local community.

He has published 6 books, including: Transformative Civic Education in Democratic Societies (2023), Learning for Democracy: A Framework for Adult Civic Learning(2025), and Teaching the Human Side of Migration (2026).

Dr. Young’s research focuses on effective methods for teaching ELA, especially with regard to digital literacies and emerging technologies, including a current focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and civic literacy and engagement. In addition, he teaches courses and conducts research addressing effective strategies for teaching composition, literature for young adults, reading comprehension, action research, and more.

He co-founded the Voices of North Carolina Professional Development Initiative and the New Literacies Teacher Leader Institute (NLI). He also developed and led the New Zealand Global Explorations into Cultural Awareness and Education Summer Global Studies Program and was a visiting scholar for the Institute of Civic Studies and Learning for Democracy (ICSLD) in Augsburg, Germany. Dr. Young has received several teaching awards at NC State, including the College of Education Board of Governors Award for Teaching Excellence, the Alumni Association Outstanding Teacher Award, and the College of Education Outstanding Teacher Award, and he is a member of NC State’s Academy of Outstanding Teachers.