Andrea L. Dottolo

Andrea L. Dottolo serves as a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Rhode Island College, where she maintains an active research program examining systemic power dynamics in psychological practice and education. Her work bridges clinical, social, and cultural psychology with a focus on identity formation and social justice.

Her academic credentials include:

• B.A. from State University of New York at Oswego
• M.A. from San Diego State University
• M.S. from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• Ph.D. from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Dottolo’s research interrogates whiteness as a psychological construct, analyzing how white privilege operates unconsciously in therapeutic settings and academic environments. She pioneers methodologies for discussing racial identity without defensiveness, particularly examining Italian American women’s racial narratives through cultural artifacts like recipes. Her intersectional framework consistently connects race with gender, class, and sexuality, challenging colorblind approaches in psychology.

Publication analysis (2008-2015) reveals three dominant trajectories: (1) Deconstructing white racial identity through qualitative interviews, (2) Applying intersectionality to lesbian experiences of privilege, and (3) Innovating feminist pedagogy in women’s psychology courses. Her work frequently employs narrative analysis and critical discourse methods, with increasing emphasis on practical applications for therapists and educators.

Dottolo demonstrates scholarly leadership through guest-editing special journal issues on white privilege (Women & Therapy, 2015; Journal of Lesbian Studies, 2014) and co-developing writing pedagogy frameworks for psychology curricula. Her collaborative approach is evident in multi-institutional studies examining gender in academic medicine.