Kevin J. Hales

Dr. Kevin J. Hales is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Missouri. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Communication Studies from Ohio University, an M.A. in History from North Carolina Central University, and a B.A. in History, Religion, and Philosophy from Fisk University.

His research focuses on ethnicity, Africanity, diversity, social justice, rurality, and intercultural communication, with a particular emphasis on indigenous African writing systems. Hales collaborates with scholars across Africa and the diaspora, including work with communities in Nigeria, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Brazil, and the Caribbean. He is currently filming a documentary exploring reconnections between the Global African Diaspora and continental Africans, supported by institutions like the State University of Bahia.

Recent projects include a National Center for the Humanities Podcasting Scholar role for his podcast 'Conversations with Kevin,' which interviews global leaders in social justice. He has participated in prestigious programs such as the Black Book Interactive Project (B.B.I.P.) and Rural Scholar Program, and his work has been funded by the National Humanities Center, National Endowment for the Humanities, and others.

Dr. Hales has also held visiting researcher positions at institutions including the University of Oran (Algeria) and University of Calabar (Nigeria). His book Nsibidi: The Markings and Movements of Ancient Africa (2024) details pre-colonial African communication systems. He teaches courses on cultural communication, political communication, and research methods.