We are now accepting applications to the Visiting Scholars Program.

The program is open to scholars from other academic institutions or independent scholars wishing to experience life on campus at Drexel University and take advantage of SoE faculty expertise and resources. This is a campus-based opportunity; virtual Visiting Scholars who do not plan on joining us on campus are not being considered at this time. The program is open to applicants from all disciplines with research projects that support the mission of the School of Education.

We welcome both U.S.-based and foreign scholars for up to one year renewable pending a new project and new sponsoring professor for no more than two years total. Visiting Scholars are expected to work with faculty on their research, present their research while in residence, and contribute to the intellectual development of the School of Education.

Visiting scholars may have the opportunity to teach or co-teach courses in the School of Education, attend School of Education and Department meetings, sit in on classes in the School of Education, and can obtain access to Drexel Universty facilities (including on-site library privileges) as a Drexel Non-Employee Associate. 

Scholars are expected to have their own funding to support their stay. A desk may be provided if one is available, but it is not guaranteed. Housing is not provided, but Drexel University’s Office of International Students and Scholar Services (ISSS) can provide information in that regard.How to Apply

Applicants can visit the School of Education's faculty page to explore the research interests and expertise of the faculty. If they identify a potential match, they should contact the faculty member and request support for their application. The faculty member will determine if there is a match with the applicant and his or her area of interest. A letter of support from this faculty member is a required part of the final application.

Final applications should include:

• 1-2 page description of the intended research project and how it will contribute to the mission of the School of Education at Drexel University
• Current curriculum vitae
• Two recent publications
• Two letters of recommendation
• One letter of support from the School of Education faculty member who will facilitate the applicant’s stay at Drexel University 
• A TOEFL score of 79

Applications and inquiries are accepted on a rolling basis.

Inquiries and final applications to the Visiting Scholars Program should be addressed to:

Jason Silverman, PhD
School of Education
Drexel University
3401 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Email: js657@drexel.edu

2025-2026 Visiting Scholar

 

 

Barbara Thelamour, PhD
Drexel Host: Ayana Allen-Handy, PhD

Dr. Barbara Thelamour is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Swarthmore College. She earned her PhD in Educational Psychology from Michigan State University and her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Emory University. At Swarthmore, she runs the Identity, Culture, and Immigration Lab where she, her collaborators, and undergraduate research assistants conduct research investigating how relationships with parents and peers, in home and school settings, influence identity development, cultural adaptation, and social-emotional and academic outcomes for immigrant youth and other youth of color.

In order to reach these research aims, Dr. Thelamour’s research uses quantitative and qualitative methods, specifically survey, interview, and focal observations. Research projects have focused on Black Americans, Latine immigrants, Roma adolescents in Eastern Europe, and African and Caribbean immigrants. To this last group, she has several articles and book chapters focusing on Black immigrants to the U.S. Her collaborative scholarship has been supported by a Spencer Foundation Small Grant, a Mellon Foundation Seed Grant, and, most recently, funding from the Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development (PHENND). Her scholarly interests are reflected in the courses she teaches in Swarthmore’s Psychology department, including Multicultural Psychology, Psychology in Schools, and Immigrant Adjustment.

During her time as a visiting scholar at Drexel University, Dr. Thelamour will collaborate with Dr. Ayana Allen-Handy and her Justice-Oriented Youth Education Lab to contribute to and plan studies using Youth Participatory Action Research with immigrant and non-immigrant youth of color.

Dr. Abdollahzadeh holds a Ph.D. in TEFL from Azad University in Bushehr, Iran, where her dissertation focused on Pragmatic Failure in Multi-Disciplinary Writing for Academic Purposes. She also earned an M.A. in TEFL from Azad University of Shiraz, Iran. Her recent research explores socio-pragmatic efficacy in AI-assisted scholarly composition and the integration of dialogic teaching methods to enhance writing skills.

Dr. Abdollahzadeh's teaching expertise includes English for Specific Purposes (ESP) for medical, health sciences, and linguistics students at Jahrom University of Medical Sciences and Jahrom State University. In recognition of her contributions to education, she received the Teaching Outstanding Mentor Award from the School of Humanities at Jahrom University.

As a Visiting Scholar at Drexel University, Dr. Abdollahzadeh looks forward to collaborating with Dr. Kristy Kelly to conduct a comparative analysis of socio-pragmatic efficacy in scholarly composition, focusing on AI-assisted writing and multi-literacies pedagogy.