Gabrielle Donnelly, online PhD in transformative studies at CIIS Gabrielle Donnelly

Alumna
Transformative Studies, Ph.D.

Professor & Consultant
Acadia University

Halifax, Canada

My experience in the Transformative Studies program was everything I needed at the right time. I was looking for a program that was creative and critical, artistic and intellectual, that connected the transformation of self with the transformation of society, and valued multiple ways of knowing. This program is it! Through the courses I took, the professors I worked with, and the colleagues I bonded with, I explored the vast terrain where self and society mix, finding new ways forward in both my professional and personal life. I am now a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Development at Acadia University in Nova Scotia, Canada. I continue to consult as a facilitator and strategist for participatory leadership, social, and systems change with organizations in Canada, the US, and Europe. I live my days feeling a deep sense of alignment with my work and appreciate the strong theoretical and experiential understanding I gained from this program, that supports me in being an inspired human being at this time and participate in the creation of life-affirming futures for all.

Navigating Spindrifts of Change: An Transdisciplinary Inquiry Into the Experiences of a Scholar-Practitioner

My dissertation focused on the divide between theory and practice within the field of social innovation and social change. I used it as an opportunity to delve into my experiences as a practitioner and consultant in the area and articulate ways forward of integrating rather than dichotomizing categories such as tradition~innovation, action~reflection, masculine~feminine, leader as hero~leader as host, and many others.

Stay Connected to CIIS