Margaret Vaughn, Ph.D., is a professor of literacy and language at Washington State University. Her research focuses on critical issues in education centered on supporting student agency and adaptive learning environments. She has published over 65 articles and book chapters, 5 books, and has presented over 60 papers at national and international conferences. As an advocate for equitable learning environments, Dr. Vaughn has been awarded by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, as a U.S. Fulbright Specialist, serves as Chair of the Research Committee of the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers, Area Co-Chair of the Literacy Research Association Early and Elementary Literacy Processes, and as the State Ambassador for the United States Board on Books for Young People. 

Dr. Vaughn was the primary investigator in supporting the Nez Perce Tribe located in Lapwai, Idaho where she collaborated with Indigenous educators, elementary students, and Tribal Elders in creating six dual language books in Nez Perce language and English. Dr. Vaughn has received a series of professional recognitions including: Literacy Research Association Best Paper Award (2020), American Educational Research Association Review of Research Award (2019), American Educational Research Association Classroom Observation Exemplary Paper Award (2018), Association of Teacher Educators Distinguished Research in Teacher Education Award (2017),  the Mid-Career President’s Faculty Award, 2016, a Distinguished Faculty Award, the Haslett Distinguished Faculty Fellow award, 2013-2014 and the Horace Mann National Teacher Education Award (2007).

To read examples of her work, you can follow her on Researchgate, or you can read a sample of her work here noted as one of the most read articles in the journal Theory Into Practice What is student agency and why is it needed now more than ever? You can also listen to her discussing educational research and its connection to students, families, and communities on her podcast, Getting Smarter.  Additionally, to support students, teachers, and communities to have access to texts, Dr. Vaughn developed the Guided Reading Library, which is a free digital collection of published books created by practicing classroom teachers and undergraduate and graduate students at Washington State University and the University of Idaho, and in partnership with the University of Idaho Library.