Kishonna Gray

Dr. Kishonna L. Gray is a professor in the School of Information at the University of Michigan and an internationally recognized scholar in digital media, gaming, and intersectional technology. She earned her Ph.D. in Justice Studies from Arizona State University in 2011 and began her academic career immediately thereafter, building more than 15 years of experience in higher education. Before joining the University of Michigan, where she is now in her third year as a full professor, Dr. Gray held faculty appointments at the University of Kentucky, the University of Illinois Chicago, Arizona State University, and served as a visiting professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Her interdisciplinary scholarship explores the intersections of race, gender, technology, and digital culture, with a particular emphasis on how marginalized and vulnerable communities build identity, connection, and belonging within online spaces.

A leading authority in Black Game Studies and Black cyberfeminism, Dr. Gray's research examines video games, online communities, identity performance, cultural production, and the social impact of emerging technologies. She is the author of Race, Gender, & Deviance in Xbox Live and Intersectional Tech: Black Users in Digital Gaming, the latter offering a critical examination of the relationship between identity and technology. She has also co-edited the influential volumes Feminism in Play and Woke Gaming. Her work has been published across numerous academic disciplines and featured by prominent media outlets, including The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Telegraph. Beyond her research and teaching, Dr. Gray is an active member of the American Sociological Association and is deeply engaged in grassroots community organizing focused on issues surrounding artificial intelligence, digital equity, and the societal impact of data centers.

Dr. Gray credits her success to the unwavering work ethic instilled by her grandmother, a value that continues to shape both her academic career and community engagement. She is committed to mentoring the next generation of scholars and encourages young women entering the field to remain authentic, trust their perspectives, and never lose their sense of self while navigating academic and professional spaces. Through her scholarship, public engagement, and advocacy, Dr. Gray continues to influence critical conversations on technology, equity, and digital justice while advancing more inclusive and equitable futures for online communities.