Tricia Niesz

Tricia Niesz, Ph.D., is a Professor of Cultural Foundations of Education in the School of Foundations, Leadership and Administration at Kent State University. She holds expertise in the anthropology of education, educational change, social movements, and qualitative research. Her work focuses on how social movements shape educational practices and identities, particularly through ethnographic studies in the U.S. and South India.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Education, Culture, and Society, University of Pennsylvania (2003)
• M.A. in Educational Foundations, University of Colorado at Boulder (2000)
• B.A. in Elementary Teacher Education, Michigan State University (1997)

Research Interests:

• Teacher activism and professional identity
• Social movements as catalysts for educational reform
• Ethnographic methods in qualitative research
• Equity and justice in educational systems
• Curriculum design in conflict contexts (e.g., Northern Cyprus)

Key Achievements:

• Co-founder of Kent State’s Qualitative Research graduate certificate
• Recipient of awards including the 2022 Equity & Inclusion Honor and 2013 Graduate Student Senate Excellence Award
• Published in top journals like Teachers College Record and Anthropology & Education Quarterly

Her research bridges theory and practice, emphasizing participatory methods and community-engaged inquiry. Current projects explore how educators leverage social media and professional networks to drive systemic change.