About

Dr. Kelly Siegel-Stechler, Ph.D. is a Senior Researcher at the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University. She is primarily focused on projects that advance civic learning and development in K-12 education, as well as questions related to youth political and electoral engagement. Kelly is passionate about advancing equity and strengthening democratic institutions by improving opportunities for all young people to access and use the skills and knowledge they need to meaningfully participate in civic life.

Prior to joining CIRCLE, Kelly received her doctorate in Education from the Johns Hopkins University School of Education where she studied civic development and political socialization in schools. She is primarily interested in the role of experiential social studies pedagogies and extracurricular activities in shaping long-term civic outcomes in middle and high school students. Previous projects have focused on youth voter turnout, political simulations and Model UN, and classroom discussion of controversial public issues. She also worked with the Institute for Education Policy as a Research Fellow, where she supports their work on issues related to curriculum, instructional quality, and school culture. She managed the development and implementation of the social studies Knowledge Map and projects related to School Culture 360.

Prior to pursuing her PhD, Kelly worked in educational programming and youth outreach and engagement. She is the co-founder of Foundations for Leadership, a non-profit youth leadership organization that provides Model UN programing, curricular materials and professional development to public school districts in Florida. Prior to co-founding FFL, Kelly worked as Director of Camp Rising Sun at the Louis August Jonas Foundation, an intensive, international youth summer leadership program for gifted and talented teenagers. She also spent more than five years at UNA-USA’s Global Classrooms program, where she oversaw program content and delivery. During her tenure with the United Nations Foundation, she grew the numbers of students and teachers served, developed sustainable relationships and volunteer programs with a range of colleges and universities, and helped to ensure the professionalization and excellence of all programmatic activities. Kelly also holds an M.A. in Politics and a B.A. in International Relations, both from New York University.