Liliane J. Nienstedt, PhD

I am a Postdoctoral Scholar at the Detroit Partnership for Education Equity & Research at Wayne State University, where I research the intersections of education, health, and social policy. I completed my Ph.D. in Education Policy at Vanderbilt University in 2026.

During my five years as a teacher in Kentucky, I saw firsthand how gaps in social supports, such as inconsistent access to food and mental health services, affect student well-being, attendance, and learning. This motivated my move into education policy research, applying quantitative methods to study the link between anti-poverty programs, family well-being, and educational equity.

Specifically, my research uses quantitative and mixed methods, and leverages administrative, survey, and qualitative data to explore school-based health services, children's mental health, and the effects of safety net programs on student outcomes.

I received a Ph.D. in Leadership and Policy Studies from Vanderbilt University, a master's in public policy from the Goldman School at UC Berkeley, a master's in education from the University of Louisville, and a bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Williams College. Prior to graduate school, I was a middle school science teacher.