Deirdre Dingman is an associate professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Temple University. Prior to joining the faculty at Temple in 2016, she completed a RWJF post-doctoral fellowship in public health law research. Her degrees include a BS in social work, PBC in gerontology, an MPH and DrPH. Dr. Dingman currently teaches several undergraduate and graduate courses. Her areas of expertise include substance use and addiction, harm reduction and stigma. She has personal, professional and educational experience in prevention and treatment of substance use and substance use disorder, and recently completed a SAMHSA grant to study the opioid crisis in higher education. Her work continues to focus on reducing stigma and discrimination around substance use, especially through service with the American Public Health Association's ATOD committee.

Your Academic Journey

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Career and Networking

Thesis and Dissertation

Changing Degrees and Pursuing My Own Passions: My Journey to a Fulfilling PhD 

Ever spent years in a degree you were not happy with? This PhD student has, and she advocates for being brave enough to choose personal fulfilment over societal expectations and conventional timelines. In this article, she shares her breakthrough in changing academic direction to a path that better aligns with her passions, and offers empowering words to others who may be in a similar situation.

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PhD Wisdom from ‘The Thesis Whisperer’ Inger Mewburn: Working Sustainably, AI Panic, and Careers Hope

Inger ‘The Thesis Whisperer’ Mewburn is something of a superhero to PhD students around the world, dedicated to improving doctoral experiences and post-PhD employability. In this interview, our Editor-in-Chief Charlotte Marino is delighted to share Inger’s wisdom on everything from careers advice to the moral panic around AI – all the while advocating for a kinder, more inclusive academia.

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