Misha Inniss Thompson
About Misha Inniss Thompson
Misha Inniss Thompson is a Graduate Student Research Assistant at Vanderbilt University and an intern at the National Black Women's Justice Institute, with a background in Human Development and Community Research and Action.
Company
Misha Inniss Thompson is currently associated with the National Black Women's Justice Institute as a Graduate Student Intern. This organization is dedicated to improving the lives of Black women and girls by working to reduce racial and gender disparities in the criminal justice system.
Title
Misha Inniss Thompson holds the title of Graduate Student Research Assistant at Vanderbilt University in the Greater Nashville Area, TN. In this role, she conducts research and supports academic projects.
Education and Expertise
Misha Inniss Thompson received her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Community Research and Action from Vanderbilt University, where she studied from 2016 to 2021. Prior to that, she earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Human Development with Distinction and Honors in Research from Cornell University, studying from 2012 to 2016. She also holds a High School Diploma from Dwight-Englewood (2008-2012).
Professional Background
Misha Inniss Thompson has a diverse professional background in academia and research. At Vanderbilt University, she served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in 2016 before taking on her current role. She has also been a Co-Facilitator, Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, and Undergraduate Research Assistant at Cornell University's College of Human Ecology from 2014 to 2016. Additionally, she worked as a Summer Research Assistant in the History Department of Columbia University in 2014.
Research Contributions
Misha Inniss Thompson has made significant contributions to research, including analyzing data from the U.S. Department of Education to produce fact sheets addressing discipline trends for girls of color in schools. She co-conducted 13 semi-structured focus groups to understand the experiences of girls of color with safety and school rules in Boston-area schools. Her work is supervised by Dr. Monique W. Morris, and she focuses on research that highlights protective processes such as self-esteem and racial pride to improve the experiences of Black girls during their transition from middle childhood to adolescence.