Jessica Heybach

Dr. Heybach’s current research interests are related to critical leadership studies—in particular, the study of power in educational leadership. In addition, how race, class, gender, and sexuality differences influence equity and the ethical practice of school leaders. She is committed to bridging the gap between theory and practice in educational leadership for the development of more democratic forms of leadership and school practice.

Dr. Heybach has published in such journals as the Education Policy Analysis Archives; Educational Studies; Education and Culture; Critical Questions in Education; Oxford Encyclopedia of Philosophy of Education; and Philosophical Studies in Education. She has co-edited the book Dystopia and Education: Insights into Theory, Praxis, and Policy with Eric C. Sheffield (2013, American Educational Studies Association Critics Choice Award Winner), and Making Sense of Race in Education: Practices for Change in Difficult Timeswith Sheron Fraser-Burgess (2021, Society of Professors of Education Book Award, 2021 American Educational Studies Association Critics Choice Award).

She is the former chair of WMU's Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology and past-president of the Ohio Valley Philosophy of Education Society and the Southeast Philosophy of Education Society.