
Raul Fernandez
Senior Lecturer
Dr. Raul Fernandez is a senior lecturer in the Educational Leadership & Policy Studies program at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, where he studies, writes, and teaches about inequities in education. Previously, he served as associate dean for equity, diversity & inclusion. He was also an appointee of the Racial Imbalance Advisory Council of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and has been named a Public Impact Scholar by the Initiative on Cities.
Dr. Fernandez’s community work helped topple a monument to white supremacy, held accountable a venerable but misguided institution, launched a film and conversation series that engaged thousands of participants in challenging dialogues on social justice issues, and trained thousands more in developing equitable policies and practices at institutions throughout the country and beyond.
Dr. Fernandez also served as vice chair of the Brookline Select Board – the first Latinx person elected to that position. He chaired Brookline’s Small Business Development Committee, which he founded. He also led the successful efforts to create a working group designed to better support the Brookline Housing Authority and its residents, a Racial Equity Advancement Fund, and a task force focused on reimagining public safety.
Dr. Fernandez regularly consults with organizations on issues of equity and inclusion and leads workshops which challenge participants to examine their background, beliefs, and biases while moving urgently to address social justice issues by making changes to policy and practice. He’s facilitated workshops for teachers and academics, doctors and nurses, lawyers and social workers, business and nonprofit leaders, artists and librarians, students and seniors, and more.
Pronouns: he/him
Recent News
In the Media
Education
EdD, Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, Boston University
Graduate Certificate, Nonprofit Management, Northeastern University
MA, Communication, Barry University
BS, Communication, Boston University
Courses
AP553 Student Affairs
AP600 Diversity & Justice in Education
AP601 History of Higher Education
AP619 Leadership, Ethics & Values
AP662 Strategic Planning & Implementation
AP699 Current Issues in Higher Education
AP755 Legal Issues in Higher Education
AP801 Professional Development Seminar
Selected Presentations
Fernandez, R. (2026, March 11). Demanding diversity when diversity is "illegal" [Conference presentation]. SXSW EDU 2026, Austin, TX, United States. https://schedule.sxswedu.com/events/PP1161489
Fernandez, R. (2025, October 23). Teach in: Who holds power in education? [Presentation]. https://www.raulspeaks.com/events/2026/1/2/teach-in-who-holds-power-in-education
Fernandez, R. (2025, February 26). What's next for education policy [Presentation]. https://www.raulspeaks.com/events/2025/2/9/feb-26-whats-next-for-education-policy
Fernandez, R. (2025, February 25). METCO legislative breakfast: Racial segregation in Massachusetts schools[Presentation]. https://www.raulspeaks.com/events/2025/2/9/feb-25-metco-legislative-breakfast
Fernandez, R. (2025, February 24). Racial justice & the courts [Panel presentation]. https://www.raulspeaks.com/events/2025/2/9/racial-justice-amp-the-courts
Fernandez, R. (2025, February 21). BANNED: Emerging scholars from states where DEI is under assault [Panel presentation]. https://www.raulspeaks.com/events/2025/2/9/banned-emerging-scholars-from-states-where-dei-is-under-assault
Fernandez, R. (2025, February 20). Conversations w/the dean: The first 100 days [Presentation]. https://www.raulspeaks.com/events/2025/2/9/feb-20-conversations-with-the-dean-the-first-100-days
Fernandez, R. (2023, October 8). Thumbs on the scale: The future of race, legacy, & other factors in selective college admissions [Panel presentation]. https://www.raulspeaks.com/media/2025/2/9/thumbs-on-the-scale-the-future-of-race-legacy-amp-other-factors-in-selective-college-admissions
Fernandez, R. (2020, October 16). Meeting the moment: Teaching during periods of social change [Presentation]. https://www.raulspeaks.com/media/2025/2/9/meeting-the-moment-teaching-during-periods-of-social-change