Catharine Biddle

Dr. Biddle’s research focuses on ways in which rural schools and communities respond to social and economic change in the 21st century. She is particularly interested in how schools can more effectively leverage partnerships with external organizations or groups to address issues of social inequality and how non-traditional leaders—such as youth, parents and other community members—may lead or serve as partners in these efforts. Her interests are driven by her professional background in community development that leverages schools. Her research has been funded by the American Educational Research Association, the National Science Foundation, and the Spencer Foundation, among others. Her recent projects have looked at how schools addressed social service provision during COVID-19 school closures, how rural schools can better support caregivers in recovery from substance use disorder, how to support long-term teacher and school leader well-being in rural schools, and increasing the pipeline of high-quality STEM teachers to rural schools and communities.