Miriam Roth Douglas

Miriam Roth Douglas serves as Professor of Education and Community Education Director at West Liberty University's College of Education & Human Performance. With a Ph.D. in Curriculum, Literacy, and Cultural Studies from West Virginia University, she bridges German academic training and Appalachian educational contexts through interdisciplinary research and community engagement initiatives.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Education/Curriculum, Literacy, and Cultural Studies, West Virginia University
• M.A. in Foreign Languages, West Virginia University
• M.A. in Elementary Education/Art Education, University of Bamberg (Germany)
• B.A. in Elementary Education/Art Education, University of Bamberg (Germany)

Research Focus: Dr. Douglas pioneers arts-integrated curriculum development in rural Appalachian schools while exploring phenomenological approaches to understanding educational experiences. Her work connects cultural studies (particularly German folklore and fairy tales) with community education frameworks, emphasizing how non-formal learning spaces foster social reconnection. She investigates the Reggio Emilia approach's applicability across diverse educational settings and examines arts-based interventions for adolescent self-concept development.

Publication Trends: Her 2010-2014 publications reveal three interconnected trajectories: (1) Arts integration in rural education demonstrating measurable impacts on student engagement, (2) Cultural studies analyses linking German folklore to contemporary pedagogy, and (3) Methodological innovations using phenomenology to explore beauty perceptions and community learning. These strands collectively address educational equity through culturally responsive, arts-centered approaches.

Scientific Awards:

• Fulbright Scholar (International Educational Exchange Program)

Professional Contributions: As Community Education Director, Dr. Douglas develops programs connecting campus resources with regional needs. Her Fulbright experience informs international exchange initiatives, while her work with the Office for Diversity & Global Initiatives demonstrates commitment to inclusive education. Though specific grants aren't detailed, her conference presentations at AERA and ACEI indicate sustained research funding for arts-integration studies.

Academic Context: Teaching graduate courses like SCFD 782: Nature of Inquiry, she cultivates methodological rigor while directing community education partnerships that extend the university's impact beyond campus boundaries.