Staci Jones

Staci Jones examines power, identity, and knowledge systems through the lens of communication and critical cultural studies. Her work bridges academic theory with lived experience, centering the intellectual labor and relational knowledge of historically marginalized communities.

As the creator of the Kitchen Scholar Framework, Jones’ dissertation research introduces a methodology that redefines knowledge production by foregrounding everyday intellectual labor. Inspired by the intellectual traditions of Southern Black grandmothers, her innovative method disrupts exclusionary epistemic hierarchies and expands how intellectual contributions are understood. Jones theorizes this framework through in-depth case studies on care work, spirituality, and love as sites of intellectual production. Her research has been recognized and awarded by the International Communication Association.

Jones also serves as an equity and cultural competency consultant, applying her expertise in identity negotiation to create tools and strategies that promote inclusive environments. Her work supports diverse settings — including academic institutions, nonprofits, and corporate organizations — by fostering strategies for equitable practices.

Her applied research includes a UX Research project at Google, where she leveraged the Kitchen Scholar Framework to scope problem areas, implement innovative methods, and derive actionable insights for product development. Her work received widespread recognition for its depth and practical implications, earning invitations to present to multiple product teams and to keynote address Google’s Anthropocene climate community.

Jones’s research and applied initiatives underscore her commitment to broadening how intellectual labor is recognized and valued. She seeks innovative ways to connect diverse knowledge systems and drive impactful change across industries, with the goal of fostering a more inclusive and equitable future.

She is an M.A. graduate of The University of Pennsylvania and The University of Cincinnati. Jones received her B.A. from Alabama State University, where she graduated summa cum laude and received the President’s Award.