As part of our commitment to integrate local and global contexts and to explore a range of issues related to the education of multilingual learners, the MLRC partners with researchers around the world through our Glocal Scholar series. We use the term glocal to problematize the boundaries that often exist between conceptions of “global” and “local”, including the separation sometimes observed between international schools and their local context (Glocal Network Shifts: Exploring Language Policies and Practices in International Schools).
Our first 2025-2026 Glocal Scholar is Dr. Nadia De León, who will present at the MLRC Research Symposium on November 15-16, 2025 at the International School of Panama. The MLRC Research Symposium is a unique two-day opportunity for international educators – teachers and leaders – to engage deeply in existing research about multilingual learners, connect with global education scholars, inquire together about shared problems of practice and discuss innovative strategies for serving multilingual learners.
Dr. Nadia De León is an educational and sociocultural researcher whose scholarly work examines the intersections of language, culture, and pedagogy in shaping equitable and effective learning environments. Her research agenda integrates program evaluation, applied research, and pedagogical innovation to strengthen educational systems and inform evidence-based policy. With professional experience across Latin America and the United States, she brings a cross-cultural perspective to the study of language as both a cognitive and sociocultural resource for learning. Dr. De León’s research has focused on classroom discourse, literacy development, and the role of language in mediating teaching and learning processes. She emphasizes linguistically and culturally responsive approaches that value local knowledge while advancing international standards of educational quality and inclusion.
Her methodological expertise combines qualitative inquiry and mixed-methods evaluation, grounded in ethical, participatory, and context-sensitive frameworks. As a member of the Global Young Academy and of the National Research System of Panama, Dr. De León contributes to global conversations on the social dimensions of science, education, and policy. She served as the founding director of the Educational Research Center of Panama (CIEDU) and currently presides over Praxia Educational Consultants, leading large-scale studies and evaluations of educational and social programs. Through these initiatives, she has collaborated with ministries of education, NGOs, and international organizations to design research-informed strategies for teacher development and language education.
Her academic career also includes leadership roles at Stanford University, where she directed programs in International and Intercultural Education and conducted research on bilingual and multilingual learning environments. This work has informed her ongoing engagement with international and independent educators interested in integrating multilingualism, intercultural competence, and equity-oriented pedagogies into their practice. Dr. De León’s trajectory reflects a sustained commitment to connecting rigorous research with professional practice. Her work offers relevant insights for educators and researchers seeking to enhance language-focused teaching and learning, particularly in multilingual and multicultural contexts. Through her contributions, she continues to advance a vision of education grounded in linguistic inclusion, social justice, and the transformative potential of research.
We are very excited to welcome Nadia to the MLRC Research Symposium. To connect with Nadia and learn more about her research in person, please consider joining us in Panama!
