Jennifer (J.T.) Richardson, Ph.D.

Adjunct Instructor

Hello Everyone!

I’m Dr. J.T. Richardson, an artist, writer, and educator, and I am passionate about fostering equitable and accessible arts experiences. I am committed to cultivating supportive and creative online learning communities for arts educators. I am a former middle school art teacher with more than 21 years of experience in higher education, including directing an Online M.A. in Art Education Degree Program. An alum of The Pennsylvania State University, I hold a Dual-Ph.D. in Art Education and Women’s Studies, an M.S. in Art Education, and a B.A. in Art History.

I enjoy mentoring teacher-researchers and helping students strengthen their academic writing. I have written more than 30 academic articles and book chapters, and my research focuses on the intersection of disability studies and art education, often using arts-based methods. My academic work has appeared in multiple journals, including Studies in Art Education, Art Education, Disability Studies Quarterly, and Qualitative Inquiry. I served as chair of the Disability Studies in Art Education Interest Group of the National Art Education Association, as well as multiple terms on the editorial boards of Studies in Art Education, Art Education, and The International Journal of Education and the Arts. My creative work includes poetry, mixed media artwork, and literary nonfiction.

When I’m not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my spouse, daughter, and two cats. I also enjoy writing, attending writing and arts events, relaxing in coffee shops, and gardening.

Professional Accomplishments

Ph.D. Art Education and Women’s Studies, The Pennsylvania State University

M.S. Art Education, The Pennsylvania State University

B.A. Art History, The Pennsylvania State University

Teacher Certification Program, PK-12 Art Education, State of Pennsylvania

Studies in Art Education, Invited Lecture Award, New York, NY, 2017

Keynote Speaker at the International Disability Studies in Art and Education Conference, Helsinki, Finland, 2017

Invited Lecturer, The School of Art in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, The University of Arkansas, 2023

Chair, Disability Studies in Art Education Interest Group, National Art Education Association, 2021-2023

Lambda Literary Association Fellow, Emerging Writers Retreat, 2025

Robert Rauschenberg Outstanding Teacher Award, Lab School, Washington, D.C., 2000

Pushcart Nominee, Creative Nonfiction, 2013

Co-editor with Karen Keifer-Boyd of the journal issue, “Arts Education and Disability Justice,” in Research in Arts and Education, 2020

Presenter at The National Art Education Association Annual Conference, International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, The Ohio Art Education Association Conference, Society for Disability Studies, Popular Conference Association, and the Art Education Research Institute