Dissertation Nation

Dissertation Nation is a podcast which showcases innovative research in social sciences and education. The host, a professor in counseling, interviews researchers, clinicians, and scholars who recently finished their dissertation or thesis about their groundbreaking research. Listeners will enjoy how passionate the guests are about their topics. All dissertation research featured helps listeners learn: about how humans think and function, how to increase equity in education and mental health services, and what it’s actually like to get a PhD and do a large research study. If you love to learn, and also like to laugh and be inspired to make a difference, check out Dissertation Nation today! Follow us on Twitter: @DissNationPod

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Dissertation Nation

Episode 1: Dr. Portia Newman

July 26, 2022 • Dana Brookover, PhD • Season 1 • Episode 1

In this episode, host Dana Brookover, PhD interviews Portia Newman, PhD about her groundbreaking and award-winning dissertation study titled, "Leading in Crooked Rooms: Race, Gender, Culture and Black Women's Leadership Skills and Practices". Dr. Newman discusses the grounded theory study's implications for the business world, education policy, and our personal lives. She also shares her tips for making it through a PhD program.

Guest bio:
Dr. Portia Newman is a life-long learner with 10+ years of cross-sector experience in learning, leadership development, curriculum design and program management. Dr. Portia’s background compliments her data-informed approach to building sustainable programs, policies and in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging objectives. As a scholar-practitioner, she focuses on the impact of race, gender and socio-cultural identities on leadership skill development and practices within professional environments.

Dr. Portia serves as a strategic program partner in learning and delivery by facilitating equity focused initiatives critical to scale and advance organizational efforts. Through timely, relevant, and innovative design, Dr. Portia supports businesses, industry companies and education entities with the strategic design and implementation of DEIB advisory, training and program design. This includes her development of curriculums for national organizations and leadership of a team of instructional designers and training facilitators.

In service and for impact, Dr. Portia believes in the possibilities of this work and in the responsibility, we have as leaders to facilitate change within ourselves and our professional spaces. Dr. Portia earned her BA in Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, before earning her MEd in Instructional Leadership and Education Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She earned her PhD in Educational Leadership, Policy and Justice program at Virginia Commonwealth University with thesis honors.

Link to dissertation study: https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/6622/

Yosso (2005) article discussed: https://thrive.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/Whose%20culture%20has%20capital_A%20critical%20race%20theory%20discussion%20of%20community%20cultural%20wealth_1.pdf

People on this episode

Dana Brookover, PhD

Host