Dr. Natasha Hakimali Merchant: Centering Justice & Identity in Education

Dr. Natasha Hakimali Merchant, Associate Professor in the School of Educational Studies at the University of Washington Bothell, is committed to constantly rethinking what justice looks like and how to foster change within teaching and research. Dr. Merchant’s courses include foundations courses which examine systemic equities within U.S. societies, courses for graduate students imagining societies free from oppression, and special topics courses focusing on Critical Muslim Studies and South Asian studies. Her research interests investigate the ways in which Islam is taught about in secondary high-school classrooms.

Courses that challenge & inspire

Dr. Merchant’s dynamic range of courses invites students to critically examine equity, identity, and social justice in education. In Education & Equity in the U.S. (BEDUC 205) , she explores systemic inequalities and their impact on educational access and outcomes. Through Critical Diversity Studies (BEDUC/BIS 255), students engage with complex concepts of difference and power. Additionally, Social Justice Education: Oppression, Resistance, and Liberation (BEDUC 512) challenges graduate students to explore frameworks of oppression and strategies for transformative resistance within a variety of educational settings. Through these courses, Dr. Merchant equips students with critical tools to become thoughtful and justice-oriented educators.

Collaborative scholarship for social change

Dr. Merchant’s collaborative research endeavors focus on disrupting erasure and marginality in educational practices. Alongside colleagues Dr. Wayne Au and Dr. Sarah Shear, she co-authored the book Insurgent Social Studies: Scholar-Educators Disrupting Erasure and Marginality, which examines how educators can challenge dominant narratives and create inclusive curricula that reflect diverse perspectives. This work contributes to ongoing conversations about decolonizing education and promoting social justice through pedagogy. Dr. Merchant’s scholarship continues to inspire educators to critically examine their practices and advocate for systemic change in education.

Centering justice & identity in education

Dr. Natasha Hakimali Merchant’s work exemplifies UW Bothell’s dedication to transformative, justice-centered education. Through her thoughtfully crafted courses—from examining systemic inequities in Education & Equity in the U.S. to imagining liberated societies in Social Justice Education—she empowers students to question, challenge, and reimagine educational systems. Rooted in collaborative scholarship, her research, including Insurgent Social Studies, dismantles dominant narratives and advocates for inclusive, critically reflective pedagogy. Dr. Merchant’s commitment extends beyond the classroom, nurturing future educators who are not only aware of oppression but also equipped to enact equitable change. In doing so, she invites us all to envision educational spaces that honor identity, confront injustice, and cultivate liberation.