Home > About > Faculty Profiles > Dorothy Dillard, Ph.D.

Dorothy Dillard, Ph.D.

Dorothy Dillard

Director, Center for Neighborhood Revitalization and Research

Campus Address: OSCAR Building, Room 311

Email: ddillard [at] desu.edu

Education

  • Ph.D., Sociology, University of Delaware, 1993
  • M.A., Sociology, University of Delaware, 1987
  • B.S., Sociology, Auburn University, 1985

Research Interests

The overall goal of my research program is to address the entrenched social and health disparities in marginalized communities and groups. My current role as the Director of the CNRR represents the culmination of my research and evaluation activities across a number of inter-related topics driving social and health disparities and allows me to more directly and consistently expand and advance translational research through practice research partnerships. I have established key practice research partnerships in Delaware critical in DSU securing NIH funding for the IHER Center. My current research focuses on the effect of policies on perpetuating systems and practices that contribute to social and health disparities, including the impact of COVID on underserved communities, the factors associated with gun possession among young Black men in four cities, and a follow-up study assessing the long-term impact of participation in a therapeutic community on recidivism and community integration.

Areas of Expertise

  • Qualitative Data Analysis
  • Survey Design
  • Project Management
  • Grant Writing
  • Gender Studies

Consultation Expertise

For over 35 years, I have had the good fortune of conducting sociological research in both the academic and practice environments, gaining a more informed perspective on the need for translation research. My record of accomplishments and productivity demonstrates my ability to lead the Community Engagement and Dissemination Core. I have a strong record of collaboration with researchers and practitioners. I have demonstrated my expertise in developing practice research partnerships, bridging the research practice gap. Moreover, I have a strong record of disseminating research findings to reduce the lag between identifying effective intervention and its application.

Consultation Experience

  • Healthy Communities Delaware, consultation on evaluation and needs assessment design and implementation - 2019 to present.

Selected Publications

  • Dillard D, Henderson H, Mangum M, Rice II J, Goldstein A. Unlocking Gun-Violence Solutions: The Necessity and Power of Lived Experience. AM J QUALITATIVE RES. 2023;7(4), 182-202. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/13729
  • Dillard, D., Billie, M. et al. 2022. The Benefits of Community Research in Creating Place-Based Responses to COVID-19. Delaware Journal of Public Health, Volume 8, Issue 3, pp. 60-64. https://doi.og/10.32481/djph.2022.08.011
  • Tsai, Jack et al. (June 2023). Evaluating Veterans Response Teams and police interventions on veterans’ healthcare utilization. Journal of Public Health Management & Practice.
  • Wang, X.S., N. Bell-Rogers, D. Dillard, M. Harrington. September 2021. COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Delaware’s Underserved Communities. Delaware Journal of Public Health, Volume 7, Issue 4, pp. 168-175.
  • Dillard, Dorothy. January 3, 2016. “Policing America.” Guest Editorial. Delaware News Journal.
  • Dillard, Dorothy. 2016. “Juvenile Justice: Juvenile Court.” Encyclopedia of Crime and Justice.” Encyclopedia of Crime and Justice. Gale Virtual Reference Library. www.gale.com.
  • Dillard, Dorothy. 2013. Limited Disproportionate Minority Discourse May Explain Limited Progress in Reducing Minority Overrepresentation in the US Juvenile Justice System. Youth Justice. 13(3): 207-217.

Grants

  • Agency: National Institutes of Health Dates: 10/01/22-09/30/27, Title: “Interdisciplinary Health Research Center” Role: Community Engagement and Dissemination Core Lead, Amount: $1.15 million
  • Agency: Healthy Communities Delaware Title: Contract with Collaborate NE Dates: 07/01/22 -06/30/24, Role: Community Engagement Lead, Amount: $36,000
  • US Department of Justice Date: 05/01/19-09/30/24, Title: “Project Safe Neighborhood Dover Evaluation”, Role: PI, Amount: $9,600
  • Agency: National Collaborative on Gun Violence Research, Dates: 10/01/20-06/20/24, Title: “Dangerous Recipe”, Role: Co-PI. Amount: $160,000
  • Agency: Delaware Division of Public Health, Role: PI, Dates: 4/15/2024 through 6/30/2024, Amount: $39,600