Fernando Ricardo Valenzuela (they/he/el) is an interdisciplinary educator, researcher, political organizer, and social worker with international and multicultural experience across various settings. Their educational and research praxis is rooted in Freirean approaches of critical consciousness to better understand and disrupt systems of oppression. Fernando currently engages in research on Connecticut’s criminal legal system, international social work, climate change, and labor organizing in the Nonprofit Industrial Complex.

Some of their international experience includes teaching English in Madrid, Spain; learning about Latin American and Marxist social work theories in Puerto Rico and Vieques; and presenting their research at the 2024 World Joint Conference in Panama City. As an organizer, they spearheaded efforts at Clark County School District that led to substitute teachers receiving their first raises in over 20 years. They currently support various organizing efforts across Connecticut and are a steering committee member of Connecticut Social Workers for Palestine.

curriculum vitae

• Valenzuela, F.R. (in preparation). Emerging from the Depths of an Endless Abyss: A Critical Autoethnographic Account of Labor Organizing in the Nonprofit Industrial Complex.
• Singh, S., Adler, J.G., Valenzuela, F.R., Jeter, J., & Smith, T.R. (under review, Jan 2025). Moving from Manufactured Ambivalence to Building Power: Recommendations for Voter Engagement Interventions Through a Participatory Project With Formerly Incarcerated People. American Journal of Community Psychology.
• Singh, S., Valenzuela, F., Adler, J., & Jeter, J. (December, 2024). How We Improve Conditions Within: Preliminary Findings from a Participatory Research Project With Beneficiaries of P.A. 15-84., In Judiciary/Labor [Panel], Moving Beyond Implications, Research into Policy, 2nd Annual Conference, Connecticut Scholars Strategy Network.
• Bulmash, A.*, Valenzuela, F.R.*, & Weingart, Z.* (November, 2024). Why Social Workers Should Care about Palestine [Event Presentation]. Central Connecticut State University, Voice for Palestine: Advocacy and Awareness Night. Social Work Club. New Britain, CT, USA.
• Saghir, F.* & Valenzuela, F.R.* (October, 2024). Understanding Climate Change Crisis: Comparing Perspectives of US-born and International Youth and Young Adults [Oral Presentation]. Council on Social Work Education 70th Annual Program Meeting. Kansas City, MO, USA.
• Bissereth, C.,* Demichele, J.,*  Valenzuela, F.R.* & Washington, R.* (September, 2024) Turning Passion into Power: Overcoming Colonialism Through Art, Culture, Acompañamiento, and Community Action [Event Presentation]. University of Connecticut School of Social Work Hispanic Heritage Month: Past, Present, Possible in Puerto Rico through Prosperity, Power, and Progress. Hartford, CT, USA.
• Patten, E.* & Valenzuela, F.R.* (April, 2024). Reflections on the ethics and implications of United States social work practice following a cross-cultural exchange between students from a colonial power and its colony [Oral Presentation]. The Social Work & Social Development Joint World Conference. Panama City, Panama.

*denotes co-authors

• Valenzuela, F.R. (in preparation). Emerging from the Depths of an Endless Abyss: A Critical Autoethnographic Account of Labor Organizing in the Nonprofit Industrial Complex.
• Singh, S., Adler, J.G., Valenzuela, F.R., Jeter, J., & Smith, T.R. (under review, Jan 2025). Moving from Manufactured Ambivalence to Building Power: Recommendations for Voter Engagement Interventions Through a Participatory Project With Formerly Incarcerated People. American Journal of Community Psychology.
• Singh, S., Valenzuela, F., Adler, J., & Jeter, J. (December, 2024). How We Improve Conditions Within: Preliminary Findings from a Participatory Research Project With Beneficiaries of P.A. 15-84., In Judiciary/Labor [Panel], Moving Beyond Implications, Research into Policy, 2nd Annual Conference, Connecticut Scholars Strategy Network.
• Bulmash, A.*, Valenzuela, F.R.*, & Weingart, Z.* (November, 2024). Why Social Workers Should Care about Palestine [Event Presentation]. Central Connecticut State University, Voice for Palestine: Advocacy and Awareness Night. Social Work Club. New Britain, CT, USA.
• Saghir, F.* & Valenzuela, F.R.* (October, 2024). Understanding Climate Change Crisis: Comparing Perspectives of US-born and International Youth and Young Adults [Oral Presentation]. Council on Social Work Education 70th Annual Program Meeting. Kansas City, MO, USA.
• Bissereth, C.,* Demichele, J.,*  Valenzuela, F.R.* & Washington, R.* (September, 2024) Turning Passion into Power: Overcoming Colonialism Through Art, Culture, Acompañamiento, and Community Action [Event Presentation]. University of Connecticut School of Social Work Hispanic Heritage Month: Past, Present, Possible in Puerto Rico through Prosperity, Power, and Progress. Hartford, CT, USA.
• Patten, E.* & Valenzuela, F.R.* (April, 2024). Reflections on the ethics and implications of United States social work practice following a cross-cultural exchange between students from a colonial power and its colony [Oral Presentation]. The Social Work & Social Development Joint World Conference. Panama City, Panama.

*denotes co-authors