Sara DeTurk, Ph.D.
Professor, Communication
Contact
- MS 4.02.26
- 458-5990
- Sara.DeTurk@utsa.edu
- Curriculum Vitae
Bio
Dr. Sara DeTurk holds degrees in communication, education, and psychology. She received her Ph.D. from Arizona State University in 2004 with a focus on Intercultural Communication. Her research is qualitative in nature and addresses social justice activism, intergroup alliances, and the role of communication in shaping ideologies about identity and difference.
Dr. DeTurk’s publications include articles on intercultural empathy, the meaning of diversity for Americans, the effects of intergroup dialogue programs, and the communication tactics of intercultural allies. These appear in journals such as Communication Education, Communication Quarterly, and The Journal of Intergroup Relations. She has also co-authored a manual for community development practitioners working with immigrants and refugees, has presented numerous papers, panels, and workshops at national and international conferences. Her most recent book is Activism, Alliance Building, and the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, published by Lexington Books.
Teaching
- Intercultural Communication
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Training and Group Facilitation
- College-Level Instruction
Research Interests
- Intercultural Communication
- Social Justice Activism
- Intergroup Alliances
- Education
- Training
Degrees
- Ph.D. in Communication, Arizona State University, Tempe (2004)
- M.Ed. in International Education, University of Massachusetts, Amherst (1992)
- B.A. in Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville (1986)
Honors and Awards
2022 Runner-up for COLFA Stumberg Researcher of the Year Award (professor rank)
2021 UTSA President’s Distinguished Diversity Award (team)
2019 UTSA President’s Distinguished Diversity Award (individual)
2018 COLFA nominee for UTSA President’s Distinguished Teaching Award
2018 Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award (UTSA Department of Communication)
2017 Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award (UTSA Department of Communication)
Paper selected as Eastern Communication Association Article of the Year (2012)
2011 Platinum Star Award for Graduate Teaching (UTSA Department of Communication)
2008 Amber Award (UTSA Ambassadors)
2007 Western States Communication Association International/Intercultural Communication Interest Group Top Three Papers
2005 Western States Communication Association International/Intercultural Communication Interest Group Top Three Papers
2002 Western States Communication Association International/Intercultural Communication Interest Group Top Three Papers
2001/2002 Ph.D. Outstanding Researcher Award (Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Arizona State University)
2000/2001 Kelly Maxwell Outstanding Graduate Student Award (Intergroup Relations Center, Arizona State University) Member, Phi Kappa Phi (Arizona State University 2000-2003)
Echols Scholar (University of Virginia 1982-1986)
