Lakia M. Scott, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction at Baylor University. She currently teaches elementary reading methods and diversity issues courses to pre-service teachers. Scott has over ten years of combined experiences at the elementary, secondary, undergraduate and graduate teaching levels. She is a recognized scholar in the field of Urban Education, where she has a host of research publications, co-authored and co-edited books, book chapters, and educational evaluation reports.

Under the research trajectory of providing educational access and opportunity for traditionally minoritized student populations, Dr. Scott has co-edited “Culturally Affirming Literacy Practices for Urban Elementary Students,” a textbook about literacy gaps, intended for use by pre-service and in-service teachers. She has also published in numerous journals including Urban Education Research & Policy Annuals, Journal for Multicultural Education, Social Education, and the International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences.

Dr. Scott is currently conducting research on national reading and language intervention programs for urban students with specific focus on the Urban Dialect. Her current research interests include creating urban literacy initiatives to advance student academic outcomes, increasing multicultural awareness and perspectives in teacher education programs, and extending the discussion on the academic and cultural relevance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.