Successfully Teaching Sensitive Topics in Academic Settings

Professor Wood joined the BYU faculty in 2014 and contributed as an adjunct instructor in the Department of Psychology for six years before serving as a visiting assistant professor from 2020 to 2021. She entered the professional CFS-track in 2021 and received continuing faculty status and was promoted to the rank of associate teaching professor in 2024.

Professor Wood has taught a variety of courses, most of them focused on scientific writing, gender studies, and behavioral neuroscience. She is a co-investigator in ongoing research studying the effects of mindfulness training among marginalized groups of BYU students and has also examined the effects of psychology of gender courses on religiosity, views of gender roles, and perspectives on sexuality in the campus community.

Professor Wood holds the BYU Wells and Myrle Cloward "Teaching and Learning Faculty Fellowship" (2025-2028) and has received numerous pedagogical honors, including the FHSS Martin B. Hickman "Innovation in Teaching" and "Excellence in Teaching" awards, alongside experiential teaching grants. She is founding director of the Psychology Mentored Research Program (PMRP) and contributes on the Faculty Advisory Council (FAC), Hinckley Chair Advisory Committee, College Communications Council, and the Psychology Department's committees for Belonging & Diversity and Faculty Stewardship.

Professor Wood enjoys orienting first-year students to the university experience in UNIV 101: BYU Foundations for Student Success and co-directing a study abroad program, entitled "Empires and Identities: Gender and Multiculturalism in Ancient and Modern Worlds," which provides undergraduates with experiential learning opportunities in Greece, Italy, and England. While she and her husband (both from California) have lived as far away as São Paulo, Brazil, they now reside in Salt Lake County, where they have raised their four children (two daughters and two sons).

Engagement as an HxA Member:
Presented at HxA Virtual Event, Summit, or Conference
Featured in HxA Member Story
Guest on HxA Podcast
HxA Writers Group Member or Veteran
Active Moderator of an HxCommunity
Active HxA Campus Community Co-Chair
Author of essay in inquisitive magazine or HxA's blog
Former or Current Faculty Fellow at HxA's Segal Center for Academic Pluralism
Speaker's Title and Institutional/Organizational Affiliation: Associate Teaching Professor of Psychology, Brigham Young University
Event Type :
Lecture/Presentation
Fireside Chat
Book Talk
Film Screening + Talk
Constitution Day Event
Classroom Visit
Workshop
Podcast
Debate, Forum, or HxConversation
Speaking Topics - List up to 5 specific topics or titles, each separated by a semicolon: Successfully Teaching Sensitive Topics in Academic Settings; Navigating Potentially Polarizing Dialogue on College Campuses; Evidence-Based Strategies for Enhancing Belonging; Managing Impostor Syndrome in Ourselves and Others
Blackout Dates (Dates speaker is unavailable, Days/Month/Year): None
Distance Willing to Travel: Any/No Limits to Travel Radius
Scholarly Area: Social Sciences
Modality of Event : In Person and/or Virtual
Willingness to be recorded: Willing
Speaking Fee (Not including travel/lodging expenses): Custom / Contact Speaker for Details
Recent Appearance (1 of 5) -title, host institution, year: "Beyond the Ivy League: Faith-Based Colleges and HxA Values" [Webinar panel], Heterodox Academy, 2024
Recent Appearance (2 of 5) -title, host institution, year: "Integrating Gospel Methodology and Inspiring Learning to Enhance Belonging: Teaching Marginalized Students in the Savior’s Way" [Master Teaching Lunch address], Brigham Young University, 2023
Recent Appearance (3 of 5) -title, host institution, year: "Refining Our Efforts and Enhancing Our Impact in the Work of Equity and Inclusion" [Peery Film Series address], The Ballard Social Impact Center, 2023
Recent Appearance (4 of 5) -title, host institution, year: "Belonging at BYU: Evidence-Based Strategies for Becoming a More Beloved Community" [Honors Student Leadership Council address], Brigham Young University, 2022
Recent Appearance (5 of 5) -title, host institution, year: "Managing Impostor Syndrome: Minimizing Cognitive Opposition, Intellectual Self-Doubt, and Internalized Undervaluing in Ourselves and Others" [Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering, Respect | Belonging | Diversity Lecture Series address], Brigham Young University, 2022
Link to Speaker's Professional Website (to include sample writings and more extensive bio): https://fhssfaculty.byu.edu/directory/dawn-marie-wood