Chris Hayden

Leader in Education, Western Academy of Beijing and with the International Baccalaureate

Chris Hayden is from Redondo Beach, California, and serves as a Leader in Education at the Western Academy of Beijing and with the International Baccalaureate. He holds a Master of Arts in Integrative Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from San Diego State University. Chris is passionate about innovation in education, particularly how innovations are developed and implemented within organizations. His research focuses on implementation science and organizational capacity for innovation, using Mixed Methods Action Research (MMAR) to design effective, impactful solutions that help institutions realize the full potential of their innovations. He chose the University of Kentucky for its reputation for research excellence, its innovative and experienced faculty, and its strong support for students in developing their academic identities and research goals. The global networks connected to UK faculty further enriched his decision. When he’s not learning and playing with his three children, Chris enjoys ice hockey and surfing—both of which he insists are technically water sports—and has a particular talent for making desserts, treats, and pastries disappear.