Ashley Pierson

Ashley Pierson is a senior researcher in the Education Systems and Policy, Human Services program at AIR. She has over 15 years of experience conducting applied research, including experimental, quasi-experimental, and mixed-methods studies. Dr. Pierson is a certified reviewer under What Works Clearinghouse Group Design Standards (Version 5.0). She brings expertise in research-practice partnerships and in translating research to inform the work of policymakers and practitioners.

Her work at AIR includes projects in early learning, community schools, educator workforce, and school improvement. Dr. Pierson co-leads a research-practice partnership focused on supporting diverse early career and aspiring teachers through the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Southwest. She is the principal investigator for an equity-focused mixed-methods evaluation of the Seattle Preschool Program. Dr. Pierson also leads a cost study of Michigan’s early intervention system and is the quantitative lead for an evaluation of a community schools initiative in Alaska.

Previously, Dr. Pierson was a leader in applied research and evaluation at Education Northwest. She also was a Strategic Data Project fellow through Harvard University’s Center for Education Policy Research. Her international project experience includes two years living in Mexico managing the implementation of a randomized control trial.