Prof. Douglas D. Perkins, Ph.D.

 

Professor of Human & Organizational Development, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University

Founding Director & Core Faculty, PhD Program in Community Research & Action

Core Faculty, M.Ed. Program in Community Development & Action

Core Faculty, B.S. in Human & Organizational Development

Director of HOD Undergraduate Honors Program

B.A., Swarthmore College, Psychology; M.A., Ph.D., New York University, Community Psychology (successor program)

Research Interests:

Dr. Perkins’ research links community, environmental, and applied social psychology to other disciplines in focusing on participation and empowerment in grassroots organizations to improve communities and public policy making. Problems his research, teaching, and consultation have addressed include neighborhood revitalization, housing, youth violence, crime, fear and social capital (citizen participation, empowerment, sense of community, neighboring, networks) and disorder in urban community settings in the U.S., China, Europe, Australia, and Africa. My latest research assesses and analyzes the current state, history, and global development of all applied community studies disciplines, including Community Psychology, Community Sociology, Community Development, Community Social Work, Applied/Development Anthropology, Development Economics, Public Health, Urban/Regional Planning/Geography, Public Administration/Policy Studies, Popular/Community Education, Liberation Theology/faith-based community development studies, and Interdisciplinary Community Research & Action.  He studies and works with voluntary associations, non-profit organizations, and government agencies responding to such problems, at all levels but especially local government. His conceptual orientation stresses ecological systems frameworks and multiple levels of analysis (individuals, organizations, communities). His populations of interest include neighborhood residents and leaders, the disenfranchised, low-income, minorities, and at risk youths.

Teaching Philosophy and Methods

Dr. Perkins’ teaching philosophy and methods (class size permitting) emphasize a participatory seminar format, collegial atmosphere, and relevant and experiential learning. He was awarded the Borchard Service-Learning Faculty Fellowship at the University of Utah and encourages students to go off campus and focus on the real world. His students look at the community settings they live and work in and identify real-life social or environmental issues affecting them and then study and try to solve them systematically.

Past/Current Professional Affiliations & Service:

Copyright © 2011, Douglas D. Perkins. All rights reserved.