Damien Contessa, Ph.D.

Damien Contessa, Ph.D., is a Professor of Instruction at the University of Tampa, where he teaches classes on Introduction to Sociology, Social Psychology, and Qualitative Research Methods. Contessa embraces an interdisciplinary approach to research, teaching, and scholarship, and has had the fortunate opportunity to study with scholars across different disciplines, including sociology, geography, anthropology, political science, communication, and religious studies. His areas of research and teaching interest include applied sociology and contemplative pedagogy, with an emphasis on applying sociological learning in personal development and community engagement through self-reflection, collaboration, and empathetic understanding. Contessa also is a member of the Buddhist faith.