Justin Coles

Justin Coles is an Associate Professor of Social Justice Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Department of Student Development within the College of Education. He also serves as the Director of Arts, Culture, and Political Engagements at the Center of Racial Justice and Youth Engaged Research. His research focuses on critical race studies, urban education, language & literacy, and Black studies, with a particular emphasis on addressing anti-Blackness in educational systems.

Dr. Coles' work interrogates systemic inequities through frameworks like BlackCrit, examining how structural racism manifests in schools, policing, and broader societal contexts. He advocates for transformative pedagogies that center Black lives and empower marginalized communities. Notable contributions include analyzing suspension disparities for Black youth, exploring Black joy on college campuses, and reimagining urban schooling through youth-driven narratives.

He has been recognized with the William T. Grant Fellowship for advancing theories of Blackness and racial justice in research. His interdisciplinary approach bridges education, sociology, and cultural studies, with a commitment to community engagement and policy impact.