Ebony Elizabeth Thomas

Ebony Elizabeth Thomas is a Professor and Chair of the Joint Program in English and Education at the Marsal Family School of Education, University of Michigan. She holds a PhD and has held roles such as a former National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow and co-editor of *Research in the Teaching of English* (2018–2023). Her work bridges academic and public spheres, engaging with media outlets like PBS, NPR, BBC, and major publications.

Her research focuses on race, representation, and discourse in children’s/young adult literature and digital spaces. Key interests include Afrofuturism, Black fan cultures, culturally responsive pedagogy, and the role of storytelling in social justice. She advocates for inclusive curricula and has critiqued racial gaps in fantastical narratives like *Harry Potter* and *The Hunger Games*.

Her recent articles explore themes of intersectionality, jazz pedagogy, and digital activism. They highlight her commitment to reimagining narratives through frameworks like ‘restorying’ and ‘textual justice.’

• Awards: World Fantasy Award, British Fantasy Award, Children’s Literature Association Book Award, New Visions Award finalist (for *Shifter and Dreamer*).
• Grants/Labs: Co-Principal Investigator of the James S. McDonnell Foundation’s Digital Discourse Project (DDP), studying online classroom discussions post-pandemic.