Current Work
Ongoing Studies
Investigating the impact of experiential learning on rehabilitation counseling students to enhance practical skills and empathy in clinical settings.
Investigating the experiences of transnational families from the Caribbean.
Future Plans
Developing community-based programs that integrate disability studies and wellness coaching to support underserved populations.
Dr. Lisa R. Dunkley’s research focuses on experiential learning in rehabilitative health sciences, workforce development, disability across the lifespan, and rural health equity in Appalachian communities.
Research
Selected Publications and Presentations
Harris, C., Dunkley, L. & Frederick, H. (2026). Parenting Across Borders: Experiences of Black English-Speaking Caribbean Parents Abroad. Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Science
Harris, C., Frederick, H. & Dunkley, L. (2025). An Exploration of Self-care Needs and Strategies for Family Life Educators. Family Life Education. The Practice of Family Science. Second Edition.
Jennings, G., Kehl, L., Leonard, C., McConnell, L., Perryman, G., Tela, W., Boynewicz, K., Dunkley, L., & Sears, J. (2025). Supporting Cambodia's Children with Autism. Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, Vanderbilt Consortium LEND.
Harris, C., Dunkley, L. & Ko, K. (2024). Non-Resident Fatherhood: Overlooked and Understudied. Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) spring 2024 issue.
Dunkley, L. & Harris, C. (2022). Recommendations for Supporting Children and Families of Incarcerated Parents. Journal of Human Services.
Dunkley, L. & Harris, C. (2022). Parental Involvement in Higher Education. In B. Kinyanjui (Ed.), Disability and accommodations in higher education: A handbook for disability advisors. Abingdon, UK: Taylor & Francis.
Dunkley, L. & Harley, D. (2021). Adult Ex-Offender Populations with Chronic Illnesses and Disabilities. In Harley, D. & Flaherty, C (Eds.). Disability studies for human services: An interdisciplinary and intersectionality approach (pp. 187-216). New York, NY: Springer Publishing
Dunkley, L., Flaherty, C. & Jones, B. (2021). Addictive behaviors and coexisting disabilities In Harley, D. & Flaherty, C (Eds.). Disability studies for human services: An interdisciplinary and intersectionality approach (pp. 217-233). New York, NY: Springer Publishing.
*Harris, C., Dunkley, L., &, Harris, K. & Gardner, A.J. (2021). Understanding the Link Between Childhood Trauma and Religious Involvement in a Sample of Emerging Young Adults. The Practitioner Scholar: Journal of the International Trauma Training Institute, 3, pp. 31-38
*Dunkley, L., Gardner, A., Bernard, J. & Harris, C. (2020). Parental Behavior and Juvenile Offending: How Paternal and Maternal Behavior Influences Desistance. The Practitioner Scholar: Journal of the International Trauma Training Institute, 9-23.
*Akinola, O. & Dunkley, L. (2019). Employment and Education Interventions Targeting Transition-Age Youth with Mental Health Conditions: A Systematic
Presentations
Harris, C. & Dunkley, L., Harris, K. (2024). Parenting Across Borders: Insights from Transnational Caribbean Parents. 2024 European Association for Research on Adolescence (EARA) conference in Limassol, Cyprus. September 25-28th, 2024
Harris, C., Dunkley, L. & Helyne Frederick (2024). Sex Communication in African American Families: A Retrospective Account of Emerging Adults. 2024 European Association for Research on Adolescence (EARA) conference in Limassol, Cyprus. September 25-28th, 2024
Mullins, M., Evans, D. & Dunkley, L. (2023). Implications of Workload Inequities: Gendered and Racialized Workload Distribution. The 5th annual East Tennessee State University Equity and Inclusion Conference.
Mullins, M., Evans, D. & Dunkley, L. (2023). Seeking Justice and equity in academic work balance: Strategies for the Academy. 2023 Annual Program Meeting for Social Work, Atlanta, GA
Harris, C. & Dunkley, L. (2023). An Investigation of Pre-service Teachers’ Perception of School Shootings. 2023 American Society of Criminology Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, November 15-18 2023.
Dunkley, L. & Harris, C. (2023). A Closer Look at Caribbean College Students’ Perceptions of Violence, Belief and Attitudes Towards Crime. 2023 American Society of Criminology Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, November 15-18 2023.
Akinola, Y. & Dunkley, L. (2023). Vocational Rehabilitation and Interventions for Young Adults with Comorbid Psychiatric Disabilities and Substance-Use Disorders. National Symposium on Rehabilitation Counseling. Education Building on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus from June 7-8, 2023
Dunkley, L. & Harris C. (2022). The Role of Extracurricular Activities in School and Family Relationships. 2022 European Association for Research on Adolescence (EARA) conference in Dublin, Ireland.
Dunkley, L. & Harris C. (2021). Bullied and Victimized Minorities: Actions Against Adolescents with Disabilities. 2021 American Society of Criminology Meeting in Chicago, IL
Dunkley, L. & Harris C. (2021). The effects of Parental and Psychosocial Influences on Substance Use in Black Youth. 2021 American Society of Criminology Meeting in Chicago, IL
Akinola, Y. & Dunkley, L. (2021). Determinants of Employment Outcomes of Youth with Mood Disorders in State-Federal Rehabilitation Program. NCRE 2021 National Rehabilitation Educators Summer Conference.
Harris, C., Dunkley, L. & Harris, K. (2021). The influence of parental discipline strategies on children's social competence: A longitudinal investigation. 2021 SRCD Virtual Biennial Meeting, April, 7-9, 2021.
Bernard, J., Besch, A., & Dunkley, L. (2020). Building Resiliency Through a Trauma Informed Classroom. 2020 NCFR Annual Conference. November 2020.