Dr. Rebecca Rogers is a distinguished educational researcher and leading authority in literacy studies with significant contributions to teacher education and critical discourse analysis. She currently serves as Professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis in the College of Education, where she has established herself as a prominent figure in literacy research for over fifteen years. Dr. Rogers directs the Burnett Literacy Clinic, a comprehensive program that prepares pre-service teachers through hands-on clinical experiences in literacy instruction. Her career demonstrates a unique integration of scholarly work and practical educational leadership, evidenced by her service on the elected school board of St. Louis Public Schools from 2009 to 2013, which provided her with valuable insights into educational policy implementation at the district level.
Dr. Rogers has pioneered research at the intersection of literacy education and critical discourse studies, with particular expertise in examining the socio-political contexts that shape literacy practices in educational settings. Her scholarly contributions include seven influential books and over seventy-five articles published in leading national and international journals, establishing her as one of the most cited scholars in literacy research as evidenced by her #29 global ranking in the field. Her research methodology uniquely situates critical discourse analysis within an ethnographic tradition, providing nuanced frameworks for understanding how power dynamics operate through language and literacy practices in classrooms. This innovative approach has transformed how educators conceptualize literacy instruction, particularly in urban educational contexts where issues of equity and social justice are paramount.
Beyond her scholarly achievements, Dr. Rogers has demonstrated exceptional leadership through her service as President of the Literacy Research Association from 2016 to 2017, following roles as Program Chair and President-elect where she convened the conference program titled 'Mobilizing Literacy Research for Social Transformation.' She has developed impactful partnerships between academia and K-12 education, including a collaborative cohort program with Dr. Elias to prepare literacy specialists for the St. Louis Public Schools. Dr. Rogers frequently advises doctoral dissertations and has co-led grant-funded initiatives focused on innovative approaches to teacher preparation, including online literacy teacher education. Her continued research and leadership promise to further advance the field of literacy education, particularly in addressing systemic inequities and preparing educators to implement transformative literacy practices in diverse classroom settings.
