Dr. Lea J.E. Austin is an expert on the U.S. early care and education system and its workforce. As the former Executive Director of the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment at the University of California, Berkeley, she led the Center’s research and policy agenda aimed at securing the well-being of our nation’s early educators. She has extensive experience in the areas of workforce compensation, preparation, working conditions, and racial equity, and most recently the effects of COVID-19 on the child care workforce. She is a co-author of numerous research and policy papers, including the Early Childhood Workforce Index, Racial Wage Gaps in Early Education Employment, and a multitude of policy statements and recommendations. Dr. Austin earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UC Berkeley, a master’s degree in Public Administration from California State University, Hayward, and a master’s degree and Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Mills College.
Publications by Lea J.E. Austin
Advocacy Needs: Learnings From Our Work With Practitioner-Led Advocacy Organizations
November 5, 2025 • Brief • By Hopeton Hess and Lea J.E. Austin
The Early Care and Education Workforce of San Diego County
November 1, 2025 • Report • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi, Lea J.E. Austin, Abby Copeman Petig and Merzela Casimir
This report was generously funded by the YMCA of San Diego County, San Diego County Child Care and Development Local Planning Council, the UPK Mixed Delivery Planning Grant, and the…
State of the Early Care and Education Workforce – California
October 15, 2025 • Report • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi, Lea J.E. Austin and Abby Copeman Petig
This profile draws on data gathered in the 2025 California Early Care and Workforce Study, with funding from the Heising-Simons Foundation, Blue Shield of California…
State of the Early Care and Education Workforce – Ventura County, 2025
October 15, 2025 • Snapshot • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi, Lea J.E. Austin and Abby Copeman Petig
The 2025 California Early Care and Education Workforce Study was funded by the Heising-Simons Foundation, the Blue Shield of California Foundation, and Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Thank you to the…
State of the Early Education Workforce – Butte County, 2025
October 15, 2025 • Snapshot • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi, Lea J.E. Austin and Abby Copeman Petig
The 2025 California Early Care and Education Workforce Study was funded by the Heising-Simons Foundation, the Blue Shield of California Foundation, and Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Thank you to the…
The Early Care and Education Workforce of Central California
October 15, 2025 • Report • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi, Lea J.E. Austin and Abby Copeman Petig
This report was generously funded by the Office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, Kings County Office of Education, Madera County Superintendent of Schools, and the Child Care Planning…