Jessica Gagnon is a Lecturer in Education at the Manchester Institute of Education, University of Manchester. Her work focuses on equity and inclusion in higher education, particularly within STEM fields, addressing issues of race, gender, sexuality, and social class. She holds a PhD in Education from the University of Sussex (2016), an MSc in Social Research Methods (Sussex, 2012), an MA in Higher Education (Santa Clara University, 2011), and a BA in English/Journalism (Framingham State University, 2004). Her research explores systemic barriers faced by marginalized groups in academia, including LGBTQ+ individuals, ethnic minorities, and first-generation students. Key projects include studies on visibility challenges in STEM, academic precarity, and the underrepresentation of multiply-disadvantaged scholars. She has published widely on topics like intersectionality, institutional bias, and policy interventions to foster equity. Gagnon has delivered keynotes and presentations on inclusive education, such as 'Innovation without Limits' (2022) and 'Creating a Better World through Inclusion' (2022). She engages actively with media and policy discussions, addressing diversity gaps in energy research and critiques of 'raising aspiration' discourses. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to quality education and reduced inequalities.







