Sociology: Civic Engagement, Philanthropy, Democracy, Social Welfare, Public Policy, Collaborative and Community-Based Methodologies
Emily McDonald is a doctoral candidate in Public Sociology at George Mason University and Manager of Community Research at the National Humanities Alliance, where she manages the design and implementation of surveys for the NEH for All and Community Case Studies initiatives.
Prior to joining the National Humanities Alliance, she worked on the DC Community Conversations Project at The George Washington University, a community-based research project funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service to examine existing and build capacity for civic engagement among older adults. She also previously served on the editorial board for The Sociologist, a periodic magazine of public sociology published by the DC Sociological Society.
At George Mason, Emily has taught Globalization and Society, Globalization and Inequality, Research and Inquiry, and Nonprofits and Philanthropy. At Montgomery College-Rockville, Emily has taught several sections of Introduction to Sociology. Her doctoral research investigates the founding and evolution of philanthropic infrastructure organizations in the United States.
Master of Science, Applied Sociology - Southeastern Louisiana University
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology - Southeastern Louisiana University
“Philanthropy as Hegemony,” Association for Humanist Sociology Annual Meeting, Detroit, MI – November 2018.
“Imperfect Comrades: Reimagining More Compassionate Movements for Change.” Peace and Justice Studies Association Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA – September 2018.
“Ideology, Identity, and Insularity in Social Movements: Moving from Developing Criteria for Inclusion to Developing Strategies for Recruitment, Education, and Collaboration.” Society for the Study of Social Problems Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA – August 2018.
“Challenging New Institutionalism in Theorizing Philanthropic Foundations” Southern Sociological Society Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA – April 2018
“Villages: Reframing What It Means to Volunteer” Southern Sociological Society Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA – April 2018
“Community Conversations: Engaging residents and community stakeholders from learning to action” American Evaluation Association Annual Meeting, Washington, DC – November 2017
“Volunteering and Civic Engagement Among Older Adults in DC: DC Community Conversations” Final Stakeholder Meeting, Washington, DC – September 2017
“From Rockefeller to Gates: Toward a Sociological Understanding of U.S. Philanthropy” Southern Sociological Society Annual Meeting, Greenville, SC – March 2017