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Candice Hoyes Named Georgetown Researcher in Residence

The musician and lawyer will lead research at the Gender+ Justice Initiative through 2028.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Women’s Issues

Isometric editorial illustration of a leather-bound journal, violin bridge, and bookstand on a desk, representing an interdisciplinary academic appointment.
Georgetown University has appointed musician and lawyer Candice Hoyes as researcher in residence for its Gender+ Justice Initiative, a role she will hold through 2028. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Georgetown University has appointed Candice Hoyes as its new researcher in residence for the Gender+ Justice Initiative. She will hold the position from 2026 to 2028, focusing on integrating arts, legal discourse, and public policy.

Why it matters

The program seeks to foster transformative social change by bridging the gap between academia and the wider world. Hoyes will use her background in law and music to engage students and compile a collection of essays.

The residency program spans a two-year duration for Hoyes, following the inaugural term held by Rokhaya Diallo which lasted from 2021 to 2024.

The players

Candice Hoyes

She is a researcher in residence, lawyer, and musician who focuses on the intersection of public policy, law, and the arts.

Georgetown University

This is a private research university located in Washington, D.C., that hosts the Gender+ Justice Initiative.

Rokhaya Diallo

She is an activist and journalist who served as the first researcher in residence for the program from 2021 to 2024.

Columbia University

This is an Ivy League research university in New York City where Hoyes earned her law degree.

Harvard University

This is a prominent private research university where Hoyes completed her studies in African American studies.

The details

Hoyes, who holds a law degree from Columbia University and studied African American studies at Harvard University, officially began the role on September 26, 2026. She recently released the studio album Expecting in August 2026 and intends to utilize her multidisciplinary expertise to connect with the Georgetown University community.

Timeline

  1. Rokhaya Diallo held the residency from 2021 to 2024.

  2. The album Expecting was released in August 2026.

  3. Candice Hoyes began her residency on September 26, 2026.

  4. The residency term continues through 2028.

Roadmap

This appointment marks the second residency cycle hosted by the Georgetown University Gender+ Justice Initiative, expanding the program's scope beyond its inaugural term. The transition demonstrates a commitment to maintaining long-term academic-creative hybrids within the Washington, D.C. higher education landscape.

Residents in Washington interested in public policy and the arts will have opportunities to engage with Hoyes through her scheduled campus events and research initiatives. The program encourages community members to participate in the ongoing discourse bridging legal theory and creative practice.

The takeaway

The residency highlights the growing importance of multidisciplinary roles in academic settings that combine artistic production with public policy advocacy. Integrating diverse professional backgrounds into university life provides students with unique perspectives on complex social issues.

Further reading

Learn more about local academic and social programs at Women’s Issues.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Hoya.

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