Fielding’s Institute for Social Innovation (ISI) Announces Fellows for 2023-24

Fielding’s Institute for Social Innovation  is proud to announce its ISI Fellows for 2023-24.

The ISI Fellows Program offers Fielding alums an academic partner to continue their professional work, apply for external funding, and publicize their projects. ISI Fellows have one-year appointments with renewal contingent on progress and future plans.

“Fielding’s Institute for Social Innovation (ISI) accepted 20 alums as Fellows for the 2023-2024 cycle,” said Charles McClintock, Ph.D., Director of the Institute for Social Innovation. “Their work spans a wide range of content, from leadership and mental health to diversity, equity, and inclusion. ISI Fellows continue to pursue their research and professional development projects under the aegis of ISI, where they have support for seeking external, developing continuing education certificates, and public citation of their publications, conference presentations, and blogs. For the 12th year, Fielding continues to invest in its alums to support their innovative and game-changing work.”

New ISI Fellows for 2023-24

Human Development

Megan Brubaker, Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology 2020)
What Two-Spirit Means to Alaskan Natives
This research describes the experiences of Two-Spirit people within Alaskan Native culture to qualitatively understand how they capture individual identity and inform clinical understanding and treatment interventions.

Lisa Buckley, Ph.D. (Human and Organizational Development 2021)
The Serenity Prayer: A Part of Well-Hoping?
This research project explores how adults make meaning of hope when faced with permanent loss and how they differentiate what they can or cannot influence, both of which are elements of the Serenity Prayer.

Dohrea Bardell, Ph.D. (Human and Organizational Development 2017)
Mature Leadership for World Peace
This project is based on the principle that peace is integrated into humanity’s DNA as the ultimate achievement of humankind, and pursues the question of how to change collective consciousness to create peace.

Leadership

Rebecca Andre, Ph.D. (Human and Organizational Development 2022)
Adaptive Leadership – How to Lead in Complex and Ambiguous Times
This research project explores how to support ecosystem organizational culture during times of seismic change driven by an ecosystem economy, greater use of digital platforms, and events triggered by climate change.

Thulani DeMarsay, Ph.D. (Human and Organizational Development 2020)
Contemplative Leadership for Fostering Resilient Workplaces
This professional development workshop explores ways that leaders can use contemplative practices such as mindfulness and meditation to shape a more mindful and equitable work culture, especially when faced with adversity and challenges within the organization.

Tiffanie Dillard, Ph.D. (Human and Organizational Development 2013)
Following a Founder: Recipes for Success
This research explores the components of healthy and successful transitions for non-profit founders and those who succeed them.

Zabrina Epps, Ph.D. (Human and Organizational Development 2022)
Integrating Futures Thinking and Foresight with Education Leadership Practice
This professional development project integrates Futures Studies theories and Strategic Foresight tools to enhance the leadership practices of executives, governing boards, and policymakers, including how to convene diverse groups and leverage multiple narratives to envision more equitable and inclusive organizations.

Media and Education 

Christine Schwyn Harrison, Ph.D. (Human and Organizational Development 2022)
Doctoral Graduates’ Sense of Belonging During Their Study Years and Related Impact on Post-Graduate Institutional Connection
This study explores the relationship between doctoral graduates sense of belonging and connection during their study years and their long-term engagement and support of their degree institutions.

Whitney Strohmayr, Ph.D. (Human and Organizational Development 2021)
What Does the Public Know About Intimate Partner Violence?
This research project assesses what adult community members know about intimate partner violence and explores how adult education might be designed as a prevention strategy.

Kristin Palmer, Ed.D. (Educational Leadership and Change 2016) Recipient of the Dianne Kipnes Fund for Social Innovation in 2023
Providing Skills Training to Women Entrepreneurs in Africa’s Leading Ladies Community
This partnership project with DeAfrica (Distance Education for Africa), Coursera, and the University of Virginia, will support mentors for African women enrollees in online business courses, and will include research to assess the impact of mentoring and online community building efforts on networking and entrepreneurship learning outcomes.

Mental and Physical Health

Erinn Cameron, Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology 2023)
Climate Change and Mental Health of Pregnant Women Living With HIV in Semi-Urban Western Cape South Africa
This research project assesses the relationship between environmental distress and mental health of pregnant women living with HIV in western South Africa and determines  coping and adaptation strategies in response to climate change.

Jenny Fremlin, Ph.D. (Media Psychology 2012) Recipient of the Dianne Kipnes Fund for Social Innovation in 2023
Enabling Women to Self-Advocate for Better Sexual Health Care
This research project analyzes language and beliefs that negatively impact young women’s ability to seek provider education around genital disease, such as those that causally link to genital cancers, with special attention to women across diverse demographic groups and with healthcare access challenges.

Organizational Development and Change

Isabella Alan, Ph.D. (Human and Organizational Development 2020)
Building Ecosystem Culture in Places of Flux
This research project will examine the key cultural factors needed to grow sustainable ecosystem partnerships.

Eliza von Baeyer, Ph.D. (Human and Organizational Development 2021)
Co-Creating People-Centered Workplaces Where Leaders and Teams Thrive
This professional development project designs a workshop with Semco Style Institute USA that equips leaders with a holistic framework to manage and inspire organizations and teams tailored to undertaking transformational change relating to the future of work.

Bram Duffee, Ph.D. (Human and Organizational Development 2022)
Workplace Conflict During COVID-19 Experienced by Emergency Medical Responders
This research project explores the stories of conflict between emergency medical services (EMS) personnel and their supervisors during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

Reid Spearman, Ph.D. (Human and Organizational Development 2021)
The Effects of Increased Collaboration on Social Innovation
This research project investigates whether a peer-led, online communication network for all ISI Fellows would increase information sharing, project initiation, and Fellow retention.

Social Change, Diversity and Inclusion

Jennifer Decker, Ph.D. (Human and Organizational Development 2021)
Overcoming the Challenges of Contemporary Food Culture to Promote Individual and Community Health
This research project identifies the factors that play a role in the type of food people buy and consume and assesses the ways mainstream food culture impact individual and community well-being.

Patricia Baum Salgado, Ph.D. (Human and Organizational Development 1997)
Internalized Oppression and the death of Tyre Nichols
This research project examines published texts from 2013 – 2023 of black on black interaction between law enforcement and civilians to illuminate internalized oppression.

Karen Williams, Ph.D. (Human and Organizational Development 2022)
Organizational Paradoxes by Design: A Deeper Look at the Chief Diversity Officer Role
This research project explores complexity and paradoxical organizational dynamics in relation to the work and role of the Chief Diversity Officer.

Barbara Volger, Ph.D. (Human and Organizational Development 2009)
The Experience of Aging in Women from a Cultural Perspective
This research project focuses on women over 50 and how their cultural roots may have influenced their aging process.