Debalina Maitra, Ph.D.

I am an Assistant Professor of Teacher Leadership at Kennesaw State University, and my work examines equity, identity, and leadership within educational and sociotechnical systems. My scholarship focuses on how institutional structures, power, and culture shape educational experiences, especially for historically marginalized groups, and how these insights inform professional development strategies for educators. I also investigate the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in supporting new researchers and educators, particularly in enhancing teaching practices, mentoring, and knowledge-building in academic environments. Using qualitative and mixed-methods approaches, I study how AI can be leveraged to improve instructional design, feedback, and access to research resources without reinforcing existing inequities.

In addition to my research, I am deeply committed to teaching and mentoring. I support educators and early-career scholars as they navigate leadership development, professional identity formation, and pedagogical innovation. My work bridges research, practice, and policy, aiming to advance more inclusive, just, and effective educational systems. I have published over a dozen manuscripts in peer-reviewed Tier 1 and Tier 2 journals, and my conference contributions include over 40 proceedings, 15 of which are peer-reviewed papers. Over the course of my academic career, I have mentored more than 50 undergraduate and graduate students.