Lakshmi Balasubramanian

Role: Lecturer & Senior Researcher, Graduate School of Education (GSE) Email: blakshmi@stanford.edu Profile: https://profiles.stanford.edu/lakshmi-balasubramanian Relationship Depth: Faculty Partner

Background

Lecturer and Senior Researcher at the Stanford Graduate School of Education. Spent 14 years as a special education teacher and inclusion specialist before her doctoral work.

• Ph.D. Special Education, UC Berkeley / San Francisco State University (2021)
• M.A. Special Education, San Francisco State University (2007)
• Graduate Certificate in Autism, SFSU (2009)
• Education Specialist Credential, SFSU (2003)
• Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, SFSU (2003)

Research Focus

Inclusive education for students with diverse disabilities. Her dissertation framework addresses student access to general education, meaningful peer participation, and support structures.

Key areas:

• Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
• Inclusive education practices
• Examining ableist and disablist discourses in education

Teaching (2025-26)

• EDUC 285C: Child Development, Learning Differences, and Inclusive Practices (Autumn)
• EDUC 285D: Child Development, Learning Differences, and Inclusive Practices (Winter)

Honors

• Walter J. Gores Award, Stanford University (June 2023) — Stanford’s highest teaching excellence award

Working Relationship

(To be updated)

Key Interactions

(To be updated)