Meet one of our teaching faculty, Professor Leah Adams who is an Assistant Professor at George Mason University in the departments of Psychology and Women & Gender Studies. Professor Adams is also a licensed clinical psychologist.
Tell us a little bit about your personal background and research interests.
I grew up in Northern Virginia and received my PhD in clinical psychology here at George Mason! I’ve spent most of my time in the DC metro area (except for a few years in Richmond and a few more in Seattle, WA), and love being back. My research and clinical interests are at the intersection of mental health and physical health. Within that, I primarily focus on HIV risk and prevention, and on improving the daily experiences of people living with a range of chronic illnesses and/or physical disabilities.
How would you describe your teaching philosophy?
I believe that long-lasting learning comes from finding ways to really engage with and reflect on course material, and that guides how I structure my classes. I often assign brief reaction papers in my courses that function to get people to think deeply about our content and give me an opportunity to learn more about my students. Class sessions are interactive, and I use popular culture references and media to reinforce learning objectives and offer additional ways to interact with the content. In order to foster an environment in which people can grapple with difficult and contested topics, I work with students to create a classroom that is a mini-community filled with mutual learning, respect, and meaningful interactions, rather than a room that houses random people who have to be there. I hope and believe that this approach not only creates a fun and productive learning environment, but that it also gives space to let students take ownership of the material and the learning process.
Why is the field of Women and Gender Studies important and how does it relate to your interests?
I think that the field of Women and Gender Studies is important because it pushes people to be active and well-rounded members of our society through a range of practices and activities – from asking tough questions about our history and present systems, to recognizing and appreciating how our identities influence how we move through the world, to encouraging activism and advocacy for members of marginalized communities. I think that all of these facets of Women and Gender Studies help to shape people who are committed to being agents for positive change. This is something I strive for on a personal level, and on a professional level, whether it happens through teaching and mentorship or through my research.
What is something students would be surprised to know about you?
People might be surprised to learn that I am a violinist (though I don’t play as much as I should) and that I am usually up to date on several reality television shows (we all have to unwind sometime).
Professor Adams can be reached at ladams@gmu.edu. You can check more of her work on her Mason profile here.
February 23, 2018
