Mitsunori Misawa
Mitsunori Misawa, PhD
Associate Professor, Program Co-Coordinator
Much of Misawa’s scholarly work examines the positionality of agents (faculty, students, and administrative staff) alongside policies in adult and higher education using learning theories and sociocultural concepts such as Critical Theory, Feminist Theory, Critical Race Theory, and Queer Theory to understand how agents influence each other’s educational experiences and determine the ways in which adult and higher education institutions can more effectively serve diverse populations in contemporary society.
Prior to working at UT Knoxville, Misawa was a graduate faculty member and the director of the Center for the Study of Higher Education at the University of Memphis. He was also an assistant professor at the University of Georgia where he taught a doctoral qualitative research methods course. Misawa also worked as a training director and a policy researcher at Central State Hospital where he trained medical doctors, nurses, and administrators on state and federal policies and developed and conducted a couple of the quantitative and mixed methods policy research studies.
Education
PhD, Adult Education, University of Georgia, 2009
Interdisciplinary Qualitative Studies Graduate Certificate, University of Georgia, 2009
MEd, Adult Education, University of Alaska Anchorage, 2004
BA, Economics, University of Alaska Anchorage, 2002
Research
Adult bullying & incivility
Learners in adult, higher & continuing professional education
Positionality and intersectionality in research and practice
Ethics & professionalism
Workplace learning and workforce development
Publications
Recent & Selected Publications
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles:
Misawa, M., & Higgins, P. J. (2026, forthcoming). An overview of ethical issues in adult and continuing education: Historical and philosophical perspectives. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 191.
Misawa, M., & Higgins, P. J. (2026, forthcoming). Looking forward: Conversations between adult educators on current and future directions on ethical issues. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 191.
Baumgartner, L. M., & Misawa, M., Peyton, L., & Schmidt, S. W. (2025). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in adult education journals: A literature review 2010-2022. Adult Learning, 36(1), 15-25. https://doi.org/10.1177/10451595231205552
Higgins, P. J., & Misawa, M. (2025). A narrative inquiry on the experiences of refugee adult learners in community colleges in the southeastern region of the United States. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, 38(7), 1030-1049. https://doi.org/10.1080/09518398.2025.2452630
Schmidt, S. W., Baumgartner, L. M., de Faria Santos, H., & Misawa, M. (2024). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning people and human resource development: An examination of recent literature 2010-2020. Human Resource Development Review, 24(1), 93-122. https://doi.org/10.1177/15344843241281881
Anderson, J. G., Summers, A. J., Ahn, S., Harris, R. F., Smith, J. L., Jabson Tree, J. M., Neal, A. M., Misawa, M., & Rauer, A. M. (2024). Use of digital caregiving resources by family caregivers of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Family Nursing, 30(3), 218-231.
Misawa, M. (2024). Transformative learning as a part of living theory: A constant evolution of transformative learning theory in lifelong education. Adult Education Critical Issues, 4(4), 57-63. https://.org/10.12681/haea.36238
Misawa, M., & Johnson-Bailey, J. (2024). Examining feminist pedagogy from the perspective of transformative learning: Do race and gender matter in feminist classroom? International Journal of Talent Development and Creativity.
Higgins, P. J., & Misawa, M. (2021). A narrative study of refugee adult learners’ experiences in southeastern U.S. community college. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, Advanced online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10668926.2021.1910596
Barker, J. L., & Misawa, M. (2020). Redesigning a course using action research to renovate an undergraduate curriculum in architecture. The Qualitative Report, 25(4), 1091-1106.
Misawa, M., & McClain, A. (2020). A mentoring approach: Fostering transformative learning in adult graduate education. Journal of Transformative Learning, 6(2), 52-62.
Misawa, M., Andrews, J., & Jenkins, K. (2019). A content analysis of women’s experiences of workplace bullying since 2000. New Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development, 31(4), 36-50.
Misawa, M., & Walker, A. (2019). Who “greens” the field? An examination of donor characteristics and motivations at a Division I athletic institution. Sociology International Journal, 3(2), 211-217.
Fought, R., & Misawa, M. (2019). Path to leadership: The career journey of academic health sciences library directors. Journal of the Medical Library Association, 107(1), 49-56.
Walker, A., & Misawa, M. (2018). A new era: Financial implications of Division I intercollegiate athletics on an institution. American Journal of Management, 18(1), 25-35.
Pfeiffer, M., & Misawa, M. (2018). The conceptualization of resources for lesbian student-athletes to promote inclusive environments in Division I institutions. Journal for the Study of Sports and Athletes in Education, 12(2), 155-177.
Fought, R., & Misawa, M. (2018). Accepting the challenge: What academic health sciences library directors do to become effective leaders. Journal of the Medical Library Association, 106(2), 219-226.
Misawa, M. (2017). Investigating technology usage and perceptions on cyber-mobbullying in higher education in the United States among college-age youth: A correlational study at a research institution. Annali Online Della Didattica e Della Formazione Docente (International Journal), 9(13), 279-299.
Fought, R., & Misawa, M. (2016). Effective leadership in academic health sciences libraries: A qualitative phenomenological study. Journal of Library Administration, 56(8), 974-989.
Russell, L. S., & Misawa, M. (2016). What the novice dental educator needs: Persecutions of the new faculty member. Gavin Journal of Dental Sciences, 2016, 27-32.
Misawa, M. (2015). The color of the rainbow path: An examination of the intersection of racist and homophobic bullying in U.S. higher education. Canadian Journal of Educational Administration and Policy, 173, 93-112.
Misawa, M. (2015). Cuts and bruises caused by arrows, sticks, and stones in academia: Theorizing three types of racist and homophobic bullying in adult and higher education. Adult Learning, 26(1), 6-13.
Misawa, M., & Rowland, M. L. (2015). Academic bullying and incivility in adult, higher, continuing, and professional education. Adult Learning, 26(1), 3-5.
Selected National & International Conference Presentations
Misawa, M., Johnson-Bailey, J., & Jones, D. (2025, October 8-10). Getting back to basics: Social justice as a tenet and directive in adult education classrooms [Paper presentation]. American Association for Adult and Continuing Education 2025 Annual Conference, Cincinnati, OH, United States.
Swanger, J., & Misawa, M. (2025, October 8-10). Self-directed learning in OBGYN residency: The intersection of medical and adult education [Paper presentation]. American Association for Adult and Continuing Education 2025 Annual Conference, Cincinnati, OH, United States.
Jarman, K., & Misawa, M. (2025, October 8-10). Exploring workforce development from holistic approaches [Paper presentation]. American Association for Adult and Continuing Education 2025 Annual Conference, Cincinnati, OH, United States.
Misawa, M., & McClain, A. (2025, June 26-28). Incorporating autoethnography for empowerment and transformation in graduate education [Paper presentation]. 2025 Adult Education Research Conference, Montgomery, AL, United States.
Misawa, M., & Johnson-Bailey, J. (2025, July 21-23). Pedagogical praxis: Knowledge shaped by collaborative autoethnographic teaching narratives [Paper presentation]. 2025 Summer Oxford Education Research Symposium, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Misawa, M., & McClain, A. (2025, March 12-14). Five elements of a transformative mentorship: A collaborative autoethnographic study [Paper presentation]. 49th Annual Adult Higher Education Alliance Conference, Tampa, FL, United States.
Higgins, J. P., & Misawa, M. (2025, March 12-14). Supporting transitions from military to graduate school through adult learning practices [Paper presentation]. 49th Annual Adult Higher Education Alliance Conference, Tampa, FL, United States.
Johnson-Bailey, J., & Misawa, M. (2024, October 29 -November 1). Power dynamics and positionality in teaching adults: A collaborative autoethnographic inquiry on teaching narratives [Paper presentation]. American Association for Adult and Continuing Education 2024 Annual Conference, Reno, NV, United States.
Misawa, M., & Higgins, P. J. (2024, October 29 -November 1). Teaching and learning ethics in adult education using ethics-centered approach [Paper presentation]. American Association for Adult and Continuing Education 2024 Annual Conference, Reno, NV, United States.
Misawa, M., & Johnson-Bailey, J. (2024, September 11-13). Collaborative autoethnography as a way to negotiate, survive, and thrive in academia [Paper presentation]. The 15th Biennial International Transformative Learning Conference, Siena, Tuscany, Italy.
Misawa, M., & Johnson-Bailey, J. (July, 2024). Pedagogical praxis shaped by collaborative autoethnographic teaching narratives. Paper presented at the Universities Association for Lifelong Learning (UALL) and the Standing Committee on University Teaching and Research in the Education of Adults (SCUTREA), London, UK.
Misawa, M., & Higgins, P. J. (May, 2024). Changing spaces and changing positionality: Duo-autoethnographic study on the transformative process of faculty research mentorship in higher education. Paper presented at the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry.
Misawa, M., & McClain, A. (March, 2024). Autoethnography and transformation: A way to process one’s own lived experiences. Paper presented at the Adult Higher Education Alliance (AHEA) Conference 2024, Tampa, FL.
Misawa, M., & Higgins, P. J. (February, 2024). Telling our stories to make our own paths and spaces in academia: A cross-cultural mentorship approach. Paper at the Qualitative Report (TQR) 15th Annual Conference, Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Johnson-Bailey, J, Misawa, M., & Phelps, R. (January, 2024). Collaborative autoethnography as a way to negotiate, survive, and thrive in academia. Paper presented at the 22nd Annual Hawaii International Conference on Education, Waikoloa, HI.
Misawa, M., Johnson-Bailey, J., Flowers, D., & Sheared, V. (January, 2024). Speaking truth to power: Challenging and transforming the field from the margins. Paper will be presented at the 22nd Annual Hawaii International Conference on Education, Waikoloa, HI.
Misawa, M., & Higgins, P. J. (October, 2023). Changing spaces and changing positionality: The transformative process of professionalization. Paper presented at the 72nd Annual American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE) Conference, Lexington, KY.
Johnson-Bailey, J., & Misawa, M. (October, 2023). Transformational learning through our autoethnographic workplace journeys. Paper presented at the 72nd Annual American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE) Conference, Lexington, KY.
Higgins, P. J., & Misawa, M. (October, 2023). Bridging the gap: Creating safe and inclusive research environments for vulnerable populations through narrative inquiry. Paper presented at the 72nd Annual American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE) Conference, Lexington, KY.
Misawa, M., & Gnanadass, E. (September, 2023). Introduction to publishing. Paper presented at the 72nd Annual American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE) Conference, Virtual.
Misawa, M., Johnson-Bailey, J., & Phelps, R. (June, 2023). US higher education institutions respond to a racial reckoning: Adult education and lifelong learning in the aftermath of the George Floyd murder. Paper presented at the Universities Association for Lifelong Learning (UALL)/ Standing Conference on University Teaching and Research in the Education of Adults (SCUTREA) 2023 Conference, Cambridge, UK.
Misawa, M., & Higgins, P. J. (June, 2023). Re-conceptualizing ethical practices in adult education in contemporary society using an ethics-centered practice. Paper presented at the 7th Bullying, Incivility, and Violence in Adult, Higher, Continuing, and Professional Education Pre-Conference. Virtual.
Freemon, M., & Misawa, M. (May, 2023). Finding a “niche”: Exploring intragroup dynamics at a PWI journalism school. Paper presented at 72nd Annual International Communication Association (ICA) Conference, Paris, France.