Kelcey Gibbons
A Journey of Innovation, Empowerment, and Historical Exploration
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Kelcey Gibbons is an academic, Ph.D. candidate currently in her 5th-year of the in the prestigious History, Anthropology, Science, Technology, and Society (HASTS) program at MIT. Her academic journey is marked by resilience, passion, and a deep commitment to making education accessible and impactful for all.
Kelcey’s path to academia was unconventional and inspiring. After attending GED programs in Philadelphia, she earned her diploma, then pursued more education with relentless determination, excelling in the Honors Program at Community College of Philadelphia. Her academic journey continued at the University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated with honors, majoring in Science, Technology, and Society with a minor in Digital Humanities. It was during her time at Penn that she discovered her passion for researching the intersection of African-American history and technology, particularly focusing on how Black communities have engaged with computing as a tool for freedom, community building, and citizenship.
Currently in her fifth year at MIT, Kelcey’s research explores the history of science and technology, with a particular focus on the history of Black engineering professionals and the role of technological education in the U.S. Her innovative approach has earned her the inaugural Shapiro Graduate Fellowship, which supports her research and provides her with the confidence and resources to push the boundaries of her field.
In recognition of her groundbreaking work, Kelcey was also awarded the Race and Histories of Technologies Prize by the Society for the History of Technology (SHOT). This prestigious professional award highlights her contributions to understanding the intersections of race, history, and technology, particularly within the context of American experiences.
Beyond her academic achievements, Kelcey is the Founder and Director of JustData, an educational media nonprofit based in Boston, Massachusetts. JustData is dedicated to creating inclusive educational programs that transcend traditional boundaries of race, gender, class, politics, and borders. Under Kelcey’s leadership, the organization challenges conventional notions of comprehensive education, advocating for lifelong learning that is accessible to all.
As a historian and sociologist of science and technology, Kelcey brings creativity and a humanistic perspective to her work. She is not only a scholar but also a multimedia storyteller, podcaster, and documentarian, committed to making complex ideas accessible to broader audiences. Her passion for technology and history is matched by her love for event planning, organizing people, and finding innovative solutions to complex problems.
Kelcey’s work has been featured in various academic publications, and she continues to inspire others with her dedication to empowering marginalized communities through education and historical exploration.
