Kendra Wallace – Qualitative Research, Education, Anthropology, Sociology

kendra-education-dissertationsDr. Kendra Wallace holds an A.M. and Ph.D. in Education from Stanford University. Her interdisciplinary background and professional publications span the fields of education, anthropology and sociology. During her tenure at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Dr. Wallace worked extensively with U.S. and international doctoral candidates as both a committee chair/member and dissertation research course instructor. She has trained graduate students in qualitative (and mixed methods) research design, data collection, analysis, and presentation. Her professional objective is to support the doctoral student in keeping the dissertation process focused and feasible. Dr. Wallace offers assistance in all phases of the dissertation process, from selecting the research topic, performing a thorough literature review, developing a theoretical framework, managing the IRB process and writing the proposal, to conducting the research phase, writing the dissertation, and organizing for a successful defense.

Generalist- Topic Areas: qualitative research; cultural anthropology; sociolinguistics; comparative education; educational policy and politics; human learning and interaction; social studies instruction; curriculum and pedagogy; service learning; social context of education, including educational anthropology, sociology of education, bilingual and multicultural education.

“Dr. Wallace was very professional. She reviewed and analyzed my literature review and methods sections against the comments made by my committee members. She presented detailed feedback and recommendations to strengthen the flow of the document while maintaining the integrity of my work. I am forever grateful!” Sandra, graduate student, The University of Tennessee Space Institute

Courses Taught:

  • Qualitative Research Methods in Schools and Communities
  • Doctoral Dissertation Research Seminar
  • Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
  • Sociology of Education Methods Seminar
  • Sociocultural Theories of Human Learning and Development
  • Introduction to Language, Literacy and Culture
  • Multiculturalism and Education
  • Multicultural America
  • Social Studies Methods
  • Social Foundations of Education/Education Inquiry
  • Practicum on Racial, Ethnic and Gender Diversity in Schools
  • Field Experiences in Education

Select Professional Service:

Chair– University System of Maryland Task Force on Diversity in Teacher Education

Reviewer– Anthropology and Education Quarterly, Urban Education, and the Handbook of Research on Multicultural Education, Jossey-Bass

Program Officer, Session Chair, Reviewer, Presenter– American Educational Research Association (A.E.R.A.)

Selected Student Dissertation Titles:

  • Palestinians in Diaspora: An Ethnographic Study of Ethnic Identity among Palestinian-Americans
  • Teaching Foreign Languages Online: A Grounded Theory Study of Teaching Spanish at a Distance
  • Gender, Discourse and Cultural Taboos in a Rural African Society: The Esan People of Nigeria
  • Rethinking the Spanish Classroom through Critical Pedagogy: A Critical Ethnographic Study
  • The Mason-Dixon Frontera: Spanish-Speaking Parents in Small Town Pennsylvania Reflect on Education
  • What’s Love Got to Do with It: HIV Positive African American Women Speak Out about Prevention Needs
  • Language, Gender and Power: Perceptions of HIV/AIDS Prevention among Kenyans in the U.S.