Dawn-Elissa Fischer

Dr. Dawn-Elissa Fischer is a Professor of Anthropology at San Francisco State University, specializing in political anthropology and educational ethnography. She holds affiliate roles in the Educational Leadership Doctoral Program, Sexuality Studies, Africana Studies, Comic Studies, and Video Game Studies. Her research focuses on representing marginalized voices through digital ethnography, exploring intersections of Black and Japanese popular cultures, and antiracist pedagogy.

Education:
- Ph.D. Anthropology, University of Florida (2007)
- M.A. Anthropology, University of Florida (2002)
- A.B. Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis (1999)

Research Interests:
Dr. Fischer’s work examines youth digital cultures, including underground hip hop, gaming communities, and anime/manga fandoms. Her framework, Representing the Unseen, highlights overlooked contributions of marginalized groups to social justice and education. Recent projects include curating the SFSU Art Gallery exhibit See You Space Cowboy… from Hokusai to Hip Hop (2023) and publishing critical essays in the Smithsonian Anthology of Hip Hop and Rap (2021).

Awards:
- NSF Advance Fellowship (2021-22)
- National Council of Negro Women Educator of the Year (2017)
- Nasir Jones Fellowship (2016)

Advising & Initiatives:
She has advised over 50+ theses/dissertations and pioneered programs like the JEDI PIE curriculum for antiracist online pedagogy. She co-founded the National Hip Hop Political Convention and mentors students via the Hiphop Archive and Research Institute.

Labs & Affiliations:
Co-developer of SFSU’s JEDI curriculum and Equity Research Fellowship for BIWOC associate professors. Active in the Association of Black Anthropologists and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.