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Christopher Emdin is a Professor of Science Education and Maxine Greene Chair for Distinguished Contributions to Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. He directs the STEAM, DREAM & IdeaLab initiatives. Emdin holds a B.S. in Physical Anthropology/Biology/Chemistry from Lehman College (2000), an M.S. in Natural Sciences from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2003), and a Ph.D. in Urban Education from the CUNY Graduate Center (2007). His research focuses on urban STEM education , culturally responsive pedagogy , and Hip-Hop Education (HipHopEd) . Emdin has received prestigious awards including the Strage Prize (2011) and PDK International Outstanding Dissertation Award (2008) . He pioneered projects like the Science Genius B.A.T.T.L.E.S. , using rap battles to engage urban students in science. His work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing reality pedagogy and cosmopolitan ethics . Key contributions include over 50 publications on urban science education, equity, and hip-hop pedagogy. He is a leader in professional organizations such as NARST and AERA. Emdin’s grants include collaborations with NSF and Fund for Teachers, focusing on science agency and leadership in urban schools. His lab, IdeaLab , advances innovative teaching strategies rooted in youth culture.

• STEM Education
• Urban Science Education
• Hip-Hop Education (HipHopEd)
• +3 more

Aisha Durham is a Professor of Communication at the University of South Florida's College of Arts and Sciences, with affiliations in Humanities & Cultural Studies and Women's & Gender Studies. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2007) and has held academic positions at Texas A&M University and the University of Georgia. Her research focuses on Black feminist thought, autoethnography, and media/cultural studies. She is the award-winning author of Home with Hip Hop Feminism: Performances in Communication and Culture and a co-editor of Home Girls Make Some Noise! Key research areas include Hip Hop Feminism, intersectionality, and qualitative methodologies. Durham has received prestigious awards such as the NCA Marsha Houston Award and the Ellis-Bochner Award for autoethnography. She contributes to public scholarship through podcasts, media analyses, and international talks for outlets like CNN and NPR. Her work emphasizes democratizing knowledge and addressing systemic inequities in academia and culture. Professional activities include editorial board roles, advisory positions (e.g., Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap), and keynote speaking at institutions worldwide. Her recent publications explore pedagogical resistance, hiphop literacies, and Black feminist mentorship frameworks.

• Media and Cultural Studies
• Black Feminist Thought
• Autoethnography
• +3 more

Dr. Elaine Richardson is a Professor of Literacy Studies in the Department of Teaching and Learning at The Ohio State University. Her work focuses on African Diasporic literacies, discourse studies, and gender studies. She holds a B.A. and M.A. from Cleveland State University and a Ph.D. from Michigan State University. B.A. and M.A., Cleveland State University Ph.D., Michigan State University Her research explores language, literacy, and discourse practices in Afro-diasporic communities, with emphases on sociolinguistics and critical discourse analysis. She co-edited key texts like Understanding African American Rhetoric and Hiphop Literacies , and her outreach includes youth empowerment projects. Notable awards include the Cleveland State University Distinguished Alumni Award (2007) and Fulbright Scholar Award (2004). Her work bridges academia and community through projects like cultural literacy initiatives and hip hop education networks.

• African Diaspora Literacies
• Discourse Studies
• Gender and Literacy Studies
• +3 more

Dr. Edmund Adjapong is an Associate Professor of Educational Studies at Seton Hall University and Director of the Hip-Hop Culture, Equity, and Excellence Academy. His work focuses on leveraging hip-hop culture as a transformative tool in education, particularly in STEM and urban education settings. He co-founded the Science Genius program, which uses hip-hop to engage marginalized youth in STEM. Adjapong holds a PhD in Science Education from Teachers College, Columbia University (2017). His research explores culturally responsive pedagogy, equity-driven education, and systemic inequities in K-12 schools. Education: PhD in Science Education from Teachers College, Columbia University (2017). Research Interests: Hip-hop pedagogy, culturally responsive teaching, STEM equity, urban education reform, and youth empowerment. His approach integrates hip-hop with science education to foster curiosity and address racial disparities in STEM fields. Awards: AESA Book Critic Award (2024) AERA HipHop Praxis SIG Early Career Award (2024) Seton Hall University Faculty of the Year (2021) Adjapong leads initiatives like the Science Genius Academy, which supports students pursuing STEM careers. He advocates for hip-hop-based professional development for educators to create inclusive classrooms. His book Teach Like an MC provides practical strategies for integrating hip-hop into K-12 settings. His work bridges academia and community through projects like hip-hop music production in STEM education, emphasizing youth voice and culturally affirming practices.

• Science Education
• STEM Education
• Urban Education
• +3 more

Dr. Andrew B. Torres is a Clinical Assistant Professor of English Education at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York University. His work focuses on embodied arts, social justice, and addressing raciocultural trauma in racially minoritized youth through education. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (2021), an M.S. in Reading, Writing, and Literacy from the University of Pennsylvania (2014), and a B.A. in English and Poetry from SUNY Binghamton (2012). Education: Ph.D., University of Massachusetts, Amherst (2021) M.S., University of Pennsylvania (2014) B.A., SUNY Binghamton (2012) His research integrates spoken word and hip-hop pedagogy to foster culturally responsive learning environments. He has published in HipHopEd: The Compilation on Hip Hop Education Volume 3 and Critical Race Theory in Education , emphasizing classroom practices that center marginalized voices. Dr. Torres has also performed at venues like the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and delivered keynotes at events such as the 6th Annual Computer Science Summit at Rutgers University. He has held roles as a high school social justice team lead, teacher, instructional coach, and workshop facilitator. His teaching philosophy prioritizes youth brilliance and culturally sustaining practices.

• Hip Hop Education
• Critical Race Theory
• Educational Equity
• +4 more

Joycelyn Wilson is an Assistant Professor in the School of Literature, Media, and Communication at the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, Georgia Institute of Technology. Joining Georgia Tech in 2017, she specializes in hip-hop studies, educational anthropology, and digital media, exploring hip-hop's intersections with innovation, design, and social justice. Her work bridges cultural studies with STEAM education, examining how hip-hop can inspire design thinking and computational media. Wilson's research focuses on social justice-oriented humanities instruction in STEAM, hip hop, African-American music and performance, and African-American education in the South. She is particularly interested in Atlanta's cultural landscape, examining how hip-hop and design theory can be applied to secondary and post-secondary education. Her scholarship also explores the culture, race, and technology of Atlanta and broader pop culture topics. Wilson is known for founding the HipHop2020 Archive and Maker Space, which provides curriculum resources designed to facilitate post-secondary humanities and computational media instruction through the lens of hip-hop inspired cultural practices. Her popular course LMC 3306: Science, Race, and Technology, also known as "The Education of Hip-Hop from 'Kast to Kendrick," uses music of Outkast, Kendrick Lamar, and other artists as texts to explore larger social and political issues. Wilson's media appearances and publications demonstrate a consistent focus on hip-hop's cultural significance, Atlanta's musical influence, and the educational potential of hip-hop culture. Her recent work has examined Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter," the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, and Atlanta's Freaknik festival, highlighting how Southern hip-hop culture has shaped national and global music scenes. Emmy-nominated documentary film producer Frequent contributor to The Bitter Southerner 2011-2012 Hiphop Archive Fellow at the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute at Harvard University Wilson advises students in courses spanning Black Media Studies, Documentary Film, Music Culture & Society, and Experimental Digital Art. Her approach emphasizes how hip-hop's technological innovation—taking something and completely transforming it into something new—can inspire similar creative thinking in STEM fields. She believes culture, hip-hop, and the arts expose people to their gifts, viewing this exposure as the true essence of education.

• Hip-Hop Studies
• Educational Anthropology
• Digital Media
• +7 more

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.

• Political Anthropology
• Educational Ethnography
• Cultural Anthropology
• +7 more

Timothy Jones is an Adjunct Lecturer at the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts, Howard University, and a Visiting Scholar at the Cynthia A. Lyons Center for Equity in Urban Education (CEUE) at Elms College. He specializes in Hip-Hop Pedagogy, youth development, and social commentary through Hip-Hop culture. Jones holds a BBA in Accounting from Howard University (1991). Research & Work: Jones is a Hip-Hop Scholar in Residence at Teachers College, Columbia University, and founder of Techniques4Learning LLC. He pioneered Hip-Hop as an educational tool via programs like 'Hip-Hop 2 Prevent Substance Abuse and HIV' (H2P), listed in SAMSHA’s registry. His work integrates Hip-Hop into youth engagement, focusing on creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. Organizations & Roles: Director of Innovation at the High School for Recording Arts; Professional Learning Facilitator for COSEBOC; Chief Visionary Officer of HipHopEd. He curates #HipHopEd Twitter chats and led Howard University’s Hip-Hop Conference (1992-1997). Publications: Authored/co-authored books including Prayers Proverbs Parables , Where Are We Going? , and contributions to Souls of my Brothers and HipHopEd: The Compilation .

• Hip-Hop Culture
• Youth Development
• Hip-Hop Pedagogy
• +3 more

Marcyliena Morgan is the Ernest E. Monrad Professor of the Social Sciences and Professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard University, serving as Executive Director of the HipHop Archive and Research Institute and Director of Graduate Studies. Her educational background includes: B.A. and M.A. from University of Illinois at Chicago M.A. from University of Essex, England Ph.D. from Graduate School of Education at University of Pennsylvania Professor Morgan's research examines urban speech communities, African Diaspora language practices, and hip hop culture through sociolinguistic and discourse analysis frameworks. She investigates how language constructs gender, national, and group identities—particularly among Black youth—and analyzes verbal performance traditions like signifying and toasts. Her work extends to language education policy for African American English speakers and creole language communities. She has secured major research funding from the Ford Foundation and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for fieldwork across the USA, England, and Caribbean. As founder of Harvard's HipHop Archive in 2002, she established a pivotal research center for hip hop scholarship while teaching courses on ethnography of communication, media representation, and race/class/gender dynamics.

• Sociolinguistics
• African Diaspora Studies
• Hip Hop Culture and Language
• +4 more