Jennifer R. Cowhy is an Affiliated Researcher at the UChicago Consortium and a PhD Student at Northwestern University. Jen’s research agenda centers on the implementation of special education policy. She is deeply committed to using her work to support students with disabilities, their families, and all the educators who work with them. Her current research focuses on understanding the role of parents as policy actors within special education, the role of special education leaders in district decision-making, and the implementation of school discipline policies. In her past role at the UChicago Consortium, she studied the impact of closing schools on students, staff, and families, focusing on the lived experiences of those directly impacted by school closings and paying. As a mixed-methods researcher, she also investigated the implementation of various policies and programs within Chicago Public Schools. Outside of work, Jen enjoys spending time with her young family, sewing, and spending time along Chicago’s lakefront.
