Dr. Sara Kangas is an associate professor in the College of Education at Lehigh University. She is an applied linguist whose research focuses on the school-age population of multilingual learners (MLs) with disabilities. Using ethnography and interpretive policy analysis, Dr. Kangas investigates opportunity to learn for MLs with disabilities, with particular attention to the ways in which education policies, school structures, and ideologies affect their everyday learning experiences. Grounded in critical frameworks, her research seeks to promote social justice through advocating and expanding the learning opportunities and rights of MLs with disabilities.
Dr. Kangas has published in top-tier journals such as the American Educational Research Journal, Teaching and Teacher Education, and TESOL Quarterly, among others. Her research has been funded by the Spencer Foundation and has received prestigious awards, such as the James E. Alatis Prize (2018). Dr. Kangas is the author of a new book, Promoting Equity for Multilingual Learners with Disabilities (Teachers College Press, 2025). Dr. Kangas earned her Ph.D. in Education with a concentration in applied linguistics at Temple University.
Dr. Kangas has published in top-tier journals such as the American Educational Research Journal, Teaching and Teacher Education, and TESOL Quarterly, among others. Her research has been funded by the Spencer Foundation and has received prestigious awards, such as the James E. Alatis Prize (2018). Dr. Kangas is the author of a new book, Promoting Equity for Multilingual Learners with Disabilities (Teachers College Press, 2025). Dr. Kangas earned her Ph.D. in Education with a concentration in applied linguistics at Temple University.