Rena A Deitz

Rena Deitz is a PhD candidate in International Education at NYU. Her research focuses on the politics of education provision in humanitarian contexts, especially those affected by conflict. In particular, she studies how education, mental health, and social emotional learning (SEL) programs are transferred and adapted through foreign aid. Her current research examines how SEL manifests across cultures and is influenced by geopolitics and global power dynamics and priorities. Through her research, she aims to improve interventions and measures of social, emotional, and cognitive skills in the aftermath of or during ongoing conflict, especially among adolescents, and understand how such skills can contribute to well-being, education, workforce engagement, and peacebuilding. Prior to starting her doctorate, Rena worked in international education to develop, train on, and research context- and culturally-responsive curricula. She continues to do this work with governments, donors, and international organizations while completing her doctorate. She holds a B.A. in International Relations from Tufts University and an M.A. in International Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.