Ashley Nickels

Ashley Nickels is an Associate Professor in the School of Peace and Conflict Studies (SPCS) at Kent State University. Her work bridges urban studies, public policy, and nonprofit/civic studies, focusing on power dynamics, social equity, and democratic participation. She holds a PhD in Public Affairs (2016) from Rutgers University-Camden with a specialization in Community Development. Dr. Nickels co-leads the Growing Democracy Project and Lab, and co-hosts the Growing Democracy Podcast, emphasizing community-driven solutions to societal challenges.

Her research includes municipal governance critiques (e.g., Flint water crisis analyses), nonprofit sector reform, and participatory civic media. She is co-editor of Administrative Theory & Praxis and has authored/co-authored numerous books, including Power, Participation, & Protest in Flint, Michigan (2019) and Community Development and Public Administration Theory (2018).

Dr. Nickels' recent work explores qualitative methods as tools for liberatory praxis, redefining 'community' in research, and navigating peace in conflict studies. Her projects address urban democracy erosion, grassroots knowledge systems, and equitable policy frameworks. She advocates for socially just public administration through critical pedagogy and participatory approaches.