Trust, Relationships, & Liberation

Key Ingredients for Joint Dissertations of Practice

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ie.2025.509

Keywords:

joint dissertation of practice, liberatory consciousness, antiracism

Abstract

Joint dissertations are a deliberate approach to antiracist systems change: simultaneously morphing the process of doctoral completion and supporting scholar practitioners to shift systems through their actions.  At the School of Education at American University, scholar practitioners and chairs are learning together how the joint dissertation of practice can be a tool for systemic change within PK-12 and within EdD programs. Within this essay, we share our experiences and reflections as graduates, chairs, and collaborators.

Author Biography

Samantha Cohen, American University

Samantha directs American University, School of Education's doctoral studies.  She is responsible for launching the inaugural, practitioner based program in education leadership and policy.  Samantha teaches courses in the doctoral program and in the masters in education policy and leadership.  She started her career as a first grade teacher in Atlanta, working with students and families to build partnerships and future pathways. Samantha believes education ought to unlock potential, rather than serve as a gatekeeper. In addition to teaching, Samantha has held various leadership positions. She’s worked as an instructional coach, district administrator, charter staff member, foundation leader, and served in adjunct roles in higher education at Georgetown University and Johns Hopkins University School of Education. The unifying elements across her career are teaching, building generational leadership, learning, and deepening her awareness of equity. Samantha is the proud mom of her son, Julian. The challenge of being a mom is teaching Samantha to continually remain in learning mode.

References

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Published

2025-08-01

How to Cite

Cohen, S., Thomas IV, W., Mendonsa, M., Reilly, B., Beckwith, J., & Royal, A. (2025). Trust, Relationships, & Liberation: Key Ingredients for Joint Dissertations of Practice. Impacting Education: Journal on Transforming Professional Practice, 10(3), 76–83. https://doi.org/10.5195/ie.2025.509

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 3 (2025): The Present and Future of EdD Alternative Dissertations

Section

Themed-The Present and Future of EdD Alternative Dissertations

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Samantha Cohen, William Thomas IV, Marisa Mendonsa, Brian Reilly, Jennifer Beckwith, Ashley Royal

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