Earl Lee

Earl Lee (they/them) is a clinical assistant professor and Assistant Dean of Inclusive Excellence at Arizona State University's Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation. They are a dedicated higher education leader committed to fostering inclusive environments that empower individuals and promote collective well-being. With over 13 years of experience, they have led transformative initiatives that advance inclusive excellence, student success, and leadership development. In their current role, Earl partners with senior leaders to design and implement strategies that align with institutional goals that promote inclusion and access for all students and employees. Their work includes introducing data-driven measures to enhance culturally responsive teaching and building strategic relationships to eliminate systemic barriers. Prior to returning to ASU, Earl served as the Senior Director of Inclusive Learning, Engagement, and Leadership, developing comprehensive DEIJ learning plans that positively impacted thousands of students, faculty, and staff. 

Earl is also a doctoral candidate in Justice Studies at ASU’s School of Social Transformation. Their research interests lie at the intersection of anti-colonial praxis, critical and inclusive pedagogy, and science and technology studies, mainly focusing on how these areas can be leveraged to advance social justice. Earl explores Afrofuturism and pop culture as tools for challenging dominant narratives and envisioning more equitable futures by examining how speculative fiction and media can serve as platforms for advocacy, offering alternative perspectives that disrupt traditional power structures and inspire transformative change.

As a futurist, they aim to contribute to a more just, culturally thriving, radically re-envisioned educational futures that integrates Black speculative work, storytelling, and the arts to imagine optimistic alternate timelines and horizons that transform the environment. Hence, every learner feels empowered to succeed.