Dr. Li is a leading international researcher in immigrant children’s language and literacy education.

Her program of research aims to improve the life success of immigrant and minority students by addressing the cultural, linguistic, instructional, and structural barriers in their literacy learning and academic achievement, in both school and at home. Her research identifies the literacy resources and practices that exist in immigrant families, as these are critical to students’ successful transition between school and home.

Based on these resources and practices, Dr. Li establishes innovative and systematic ways that teachers and schools can tap into the cultural resources and linguistic knowledge from students’ homes to support school literacy efforts.

Dr. Li’s research is grounded directly in learners’ complex multiple language and literacy practices in and outside school and in teachers’ everyday teaching practices.

Her knowledge of these complex language contexts expertly positions her to share her insights with educators about specific cultural practices and the importance of culturally relevant approaches to educating these children. Dr. Li’s research will also address the need to examine current language and educational policy and practice in globalized contexts.