Jon Michael Wargo serves as Associate Professor at the Marsal Family School of Education, University of Michigan, following prior faculty appointments at Boston College and Wayne State University. His research critically examines the intersection of media, technology, and youth literacy development through frameworks of community inquiry and social justice. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in curriculum, instruction, and teacher education from Michigan State University and a B.A. in English and Gender Studies from Indiana University - Bloomington. Prior to academia, he worked as a public school teacher and early childhood educator. Wargo's scholarship centers on critical literacy, learning sciences, and LGBTQ+ education, with particular focus on how young people navigate identity through digital media and participatory design. His work spans diverse settings including STEM-arts conservatories, K-12 classrooms, and community studios, emphasizing heterogeneity in human sensemaking and intersectional justice. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals consistent exploration of sonic literacies, queer youth narratives, and digital media's role in social change. His research demonstrates methodological innovation through connective ethnography and multimodal analysis, with growing emphasis on policy implications for LGBTQ-inclusive education and early childhood writing development. His scientific recognition includes: Early Career Achievement Awards from Literacy Research Association and National Council for Teachers of English NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship (2020) AERA Division K Exemplary Research Award (2025) Multiple distinguished article awards from NCTE, CCCC, and AERA's Queer Studies SIG Wargo directs significant research initiatives funded by the National Academy of Education, Spencer Foundation, and European Union, including the Marygrove Community partnership project '(Un)Learning at the Intersections' and the '(In)Human Histories' policy study on LGBTQ-inclusive social studies. His grant portfolio reflects deep community engagement and commitment to translating research into classroom practice through participatory design frameworks. His collaborative projects with Detroit's Marygrove Community and interdisciplinary teams of educators, youth, and community stakeholders exemplify his commitment to designing learning environments that foster belonging and sociopolitical understanding through storytelling and sensemaking.









