Pennie G. Foster-Fishman, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Email: fosterfi@msu.edu
125D Psychology Building
517-353-5015
Research Interests
My research interests primarily focus on understanding social and systems change, both as they unfold within communities as well as within service delivery systems. For example, my current research project with the Kellogg Foundation includes looking at how to generate the systems change needed to reduce inequities in education and economic outcomes. We are looking at how to generate resident power and self-determination and local organizational capacity to partner with residents in these change efforts. I have also studied human service delivery reform, particularly the processes and outcomes of current ideological and structural changeswithin human services delivery systems. For example, I have recently investigated service delivery innovation within human service agencies, and the ecological factors influencing the adoption and implementation of strengths-based, coordinated services. In my consulting and research, I have worked with a variety of human service delivery and not-for-profit organizations, working to improve their organizational operations, their work environment, and the efficacy of their service delivery. Another primary interest involves multiple stakeholder collaboration and coalition development. I have worked with a variety of community-based coalitions, aiming to understand and improve their collaborative processes and outcomes. Additionally, I have also conducted several program evaluations, and have studied and implemented advocacy training programs. In all of my projects, I strive to engage in research and evaluation processes that are participatory and empowering and to generate documents and tools that help local communities and organizations build their capacity. I also use a wide range of innovative qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including Photovoice, GIS mapping, network analysis, and HLM.
Recent Publications
Bates, L., & Foster-Fishman, P.G. (in press). Using Outcomes for Impact. Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council.
Rosaen, C.L., Foster-Fishman, P.G., & Fear, F. (In Press). The citizen scholar: Joining voices and values in the engagement interface. Metropolitan Universities.
Salem, D.A., Foster-Fishman, P.G., & Goodkind, J.R. (In Press). The adoption of innovation in collective action organizations. American Journal of Community Psychology.
Foster-Fishman, P.G., & Berkowitz, M. (2003). Building Effective Disability Coalitions: A practitioner's guide. Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council.
Fear, F.A., Rosaen, C.L., Foster-Fishman, P.G., & Bawden, R.J. (2001). Outreach as a scholarly expression: A faculty perspective. Journal of Higher Education and Outreach.
Foster-Fishman, P.G., Berkowitz, S., Lounsbury, D., Jacobson, S., & Allen, N.A. (2001). Building collaborative capacity in community based coalitions. American Journal of Community Psychology, 29(2).
Foster-Fishman, P.G., Salem, D.A., Allen, D.A., & Fahrbach, K. (2001). Facilitating interorganizational exchanges: The contributions of interorganizational alliances. American Journal of Community Psychology, 29(6), 875-905.
Sandmann, L., Foster-Fishman, P.G., Lloyd, J., Rauhe, W., & Rosean, C. (2000). Strengthening the scholarship in outreach: Assessing project potential and managing critical tensions. Change, 32(1), 44-52.
Foster-Fishman, P.G. Salem, D. A., Allen, N., & Fahrbach, K. (1999). Ecological factors impacting provider attitudes towards service delivery reform. American Journal of Community Psychology, 27(6), 785-816.
Foster-Fishman, P. G., Salem, D., Chibnall, S., Legler, R., & Yapchai. (1998). Empirical support for the critical assumptions of empowerment theory. American Journal of Community Psychology, 26(4), 507-536.
Manuscripts Under Review
Foster-Fishman, P.G., Nowell, B., Deacon, Z., Nievar, A., & McCann, P. (Under review). Using methods that matter: The power of voice, narrative, and reflection.
Foster-Fishman, P.G., Shpungin, E., & Bergeron, J. (Revised & resubmitted). Unity within diversity: The unique factors facilitating the participation of multiple stakeholders in a community-based coalition.
Nowell, B., Berkwotize, S., Deacon, Z., & Foster-Fishman, P.G. (Under review). Revealing the Cues within Community Places: Stories of Identity, History, and Possibility
Committees, organizations, groups, etc. currently involved with
Academy of Management
American Psychological AssociationSociety for Community Research & Action
Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues 1999-present Reviewer, Oregon
Sea Grant Council
1997-present Reviewer, Several Internal Grant Review Processes, Michigan State University
1995-present Ad-Hoc Reviewer, American Journal of Community Psychology
1995-present Ad-Hoc Reviewer, Health Education and Behavior
1989-1992 Grant Reviewer, Illinois Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities
Education
Ph.D., 1994 University of Illinois at Chicago
Substantive Area: Organizational/Community Psychology
M.A., 1991 University of Illinois at Chicago
B.A., 1984 Wittenberg University
Year Came to Eco-Psych Interest Group at MSU
1994
Other departmental affiliations or adjunct appointments
1999- Served as the Acting Associate Director of the Institute for Children Youth and Families, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
The best thing about being a part of the Ecological-Community Psychology Interest Group here at MSU is
Being surrounded by individuals so committed to social change.
Free time/hobbies/favorite things
I am a mom and wife first. I also love to travel, hike, bike, kayak and canoe.
One thing to do or accomplish in life
In all of my work, I strive to create processes that our empowering to the local community and generate useful documents and tools.
