Rhea Almeida works on the Policy, Research & Evaluation team as a researcher and communications strategist, focused on improving equitable summer learning strategies in districts across the US. She simultaneously supports the EJ-ROC advocacy team with data and research to drive national organizing campaigns for honest, equitable and fully funded public education. Previously, she managed strategic communications for global studies at the Financial Access Initiative think tank. She has led national gender rights advocacy and youth development programs, particularly for historically marginalized populations, for SEWA Bharat across 5 states of India. She has supported the UNCDF’s Local Development Finance team as a consultant. She has a proven track record in media and communications, having worked as a TV news journalist as well as the co-creator of the Hallway Talks podcast. She believes in evidence-based, bottom-up approaches to social justice, equitable policy design, and advocacy. She has a Masters in Public Administration – International Policy & Development from NYU Wagner. Originally from Mumbai, India, she now lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Selected Publications
Research brief: McAlister, S, Almeida, R, Berger, N & Wilson, I (2025). Planning Successful Summer Programs: The Power of Strong Leadership and Cross-Departmental Collaboration. Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools.
Data advocacy tool: Almeida, R & Farrie, D (2025) How Will Proposed FY26 Budget Cuts Affect Your School District? Education Law Center.
Research brief: McAlister, S, Almeida, R, Berger, N & Wilson, I (2024). How Community Partnerships Strengthen Summer Learning in Rural Districts. Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools.
Opinion: Almeida, R & Foster, P (2024) We’re education researchers, and we stand with the education justice movement. K-12 Dive.
Research brief: Almeida, R, Wilkerson, E, McAlister, S Berger, N & Wilson (2024) Going Beyond High School Credit Recovery in Summer Learning: From Remediation to Acceleration. Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools.
Opinion: Almeida, R. (2024) Schools can close summer learning gaps with these 4 strategies. The Conversation.
Opinion: Almeida, R. (2023). How a Far-Right Moms Group Is Threatening Liberties in Schools. Autostraddle.