Dr. Ain Grooms

Biography

Ain Grooms is an Associate Professor in Educational Leadership Policy Analysis at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research interests focus on K-12 educational equity, particularly regarding equitable access for students of color and those from traditionally disenfranchised communities. He employs an intersectional approach, considering race and place to assess the impact of educational policy on student achievement and associated outcomes. Grooms' current research projects engage educational leaders and relevant stakeholders in schools, districts, and states to design and sustain equity-focused policies and practices, with specific emphasis on retaining educators of color, developing principal pipelines, and implementing computer science education policy. Prior to entering academia, Grooms served as a founding administrator at a charter high school in Boston, worked as a college advisor in a youth development organization in New York City, and was a policy analyst at a research policy organization in Atlanta. His publications appear in notable journals such as Urban Education and Educational Policy, and he has presented his research at various local, national, and international conferences.

Research Interests