Sara DeTurk
Assistant Professor
Sara DeTurk received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Virginia and her M.Ed. in International Education from the University of Massachusetts. She received her Ph.D. in Communication from Arizona State University in 2004, with a focus on Intercultural Communication. Her research is qualitative in nature and addresses the role of communication in perpetuating and challenging ethnocentrism.
Dr. DeTurk's publications include articles on intercultural empathy, decision making and conflict management in culturally diverse organizations, the meaning of diversity for Americans, and the effects of intergroup dialogue programs. These appear in journals such as Communication Education, Communication Quarterly, The Journal of Intergroup Relations, and The Journal of Business and Management. She has also co-authored a manual for community development practitioners working with immigrants and refugees, and has presented numerous papers, panels, workshops, and performances at national and international conferences.
Prior to her Ph.D. work, Dr. DeTurk worked for several years as a career counselor, cross-cultural/diversity trainer, and Peace Corps community development volunteer. A trained mediator, she also enjoys volunteering in various conflict resolution programs. She has lived (at least briefly) in six countries and seven U.S. states.