Benjamin C. Kennedy

Benjamin C. Kennedy (he/him) is a transgender author, educator, and activist who received both his B.S. and M.Ed. from The University of Vermont. His career began in early childhood special education and later transitioned to higher education and student affairs. Ben is a PhD candidate in Education Studies at UC San Diego, where his research focuses on equity policy for historically marginalized students, international education comparison, and helping educators to create queer and trans affirming curriculum and classrooms. He has been part of several research teams at UCSD focused on education equity and is an instructor of record in Education Studies. Ben is a sought after international public speaker, guest lecturer, and consultant on transgender issues and gender diversity in schools. He is a national facilitator with Welcoming Schools, a Board Member for Alliance for Trans Youth Rights and Vice Chair of the Board for Advocates 4 Trans Equality, and a youth mentor at San Diego Pride. Ben has collaborated with The National Center for Transgender Equality, Planned Parenthood, Gender Odyssey, several Senate offices, and other organizations, and has been published in diverse outlets including six books, several academic journals [including Review of Research in Education, Educational Research, Teachers College Record, Journal for Multicultural Education], HuffPost, NPR, and more. He is a UC Presidents Dissertation Year Fellow, Competitive Edge Fellow, a Kroner Fellow, a Junior Scholar Fellow at the International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement, and participated in the Hunter-Simes Institute in Sexuality Studies Fellowship in Sydney, Australia. He was also selected for the Summer Graduate Teaching Scholars program. Outside of academics, he is a competitive hybrid athlete and musician. Ben and his incredible wife Becca have three cats, a three-legged pitbull, and a rotating crew of foster animals including over 300 neonatal kittens and orphaned wildlife. Together they are passionate about good food, good books, good music, and being good to others.

Curriculum Vitae

The University of California, San Diego | PhD in Education Studies 2020-2025
The University of Vermont | M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
The University of Vermont | B.S. in Early Childhood Special Education
Summa cum laude, concentrations in psychological sciences, music, and Spanish                  

UC President's Dissertation Year Fellowship
Jacobs Summer Social Impact Fellowship, University of California San Diego
Hunter-Simes Institute in Sexuality Studies Fellowship, Sydney Australia
Tracie Jada O’Brien Transgender Student Scholarship, LGBT Center
Mary Wagner Memorial Scholarship, PFLAG San Diego
Junior Scholar Fellowship Award, International Congress of School Effectiveness and Improvement
Competitive Edge Fellowship, ​University of California San Diego
Kroner Dean’s Fellowship, ​University of California San Diego
Office of Special Education Programs Grant, U.S. Department of Education

San Diego Pride Youth Mentor of the Year
Foster Family of the Year, San Diego Humane Society
Keith M. Miser Leadership Award, University of Vermont Student Life
Supportive Academic Faculty/Staff Award
Educational Leadership Masters Program Graduate Award in Education and Public Affairs
University of Vermont Prism Center Jackie Weinstock Service Award
University of Vermont Prism Center Provost’s Commitment to Equity and Inclusion Award