Brian Kisida

Brian Kisida is an Associate Professor at the Truman School of Government & Public Affairs, University of Missouri. He serves as Co-Director of the National Endowment for the Arts-sponsored Arts, Humanities, & Civic Engagement Lab. His research focuses on educational policy, particularly addressing gaps in achievement, experience, and attainment for at-risk students. He specializes in rigorous program evaluation, including randomized controlled trials, and has contributed to the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences.

Key research areas include the impact of cultural institutions, school-community partnerships, arts education, teacher diversity, urban charter schools, and long-term educational outcomes beyond standardized tests. His work explores non-cognitive outcomes, civic engagement, and the role of arts in social-emotional development. Kisida’s publications appear in top journals such as Journal of Policy Analysis and Management and Educational Researcher, and his findings have influenced congressional testimony and media coverage in outlets like The New York Times and CNN.

His research on school vouchers, charter schools, and arts education has provided critical insights into educational equity and policy effectiveness. Current efforts emphasize expanding arts access through multisector collaborations and examining broader policy impacts on societal well-being.