UMass Boston

Assistant Professor and Department Chair of Urban Education, Leadership, Dr. Abiola Farinde-Wu has received Division K’s 2026 Innovations in Research on Equity and Social Justice in Teaching and Teacher Education Award for her work in advancing understanding of equity and social justice in teacher education.

“I felt immense gratitude and humility,” Farinde-Wu said. “My writing comes from the heart, and my research is driven by a commitment to the betterment of underserved communities.”

The award is given out once a year to an individual or small collaborative group whose expanded vision of frameworks, methodologies, models, and practices in teaching and/or teacher education demonstrates innovation in equity and social justice. 

“To be recognized for work that centers people of color and our most vulnerable populations gives me hope and inspiration for the path ahead,” she said. “This is my life’s work. This is my heartwork.”

Dr. Farinde-Wu has been engaging in research, teaching, and service with UMass Boston since 2017. Her work explores the experience of Black women teachers, including conceptualization of a fugitive professional development, a Black feminist trauma-informed praxis, and advancement of Postmodern Blackness.

The award committee cited Farinde-Wu’s sustained and theoretically rich body of work addressing issues of inclusion, equity and social justice in teacher education, including pioneering research in Black women teacher retention.

“These concepts resonate deeply with my personal journey,” she said. “It is an honor to theorize and advance the field of education in meaningful ways.”

Farinde-Wu hopes her research will influence both scholarship and educational practice. 

“I hope that students of color read my work and that they “see” themselves,” she said. “I want them to know that they matter, and that research should center their experiences and prioritize equity-minded solutions that seek to better their educational and life outcomes. It is my hope that teachers, school administrators, policymakers—all stakeholders—will read my work and that it informs their thinking, their hearts, and their actions.”

Farinde-Wu credits UMass Boston with supporting her ability to engage in research focused on equity and social justice.

Dr. Farinde-Wu received the award at the AERA Division K Business Meeting during the AERA Annual Meeting in Los Angeles on April 9. Founded in 1916, AERA is the largest national interdisciplinary research association devoted to the scientific study of education and learning. Its 25,000-plus members include faculty, researchers, university deans, research directors, and higher education administrators.