Meet Amy Prorock-Ernest, Ph.D. candidate
Prorock-Ernest is a doctoral candidate at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work. Her research interests include exploring the ways in which social, economic, political, environmental, cultural and historical factors influence the health and well-being of communities. Foundational to this is Prorock-Ernest’s interest in understanding localized conceptualizations of health, particularly using qualitative research methods. She’s interested in grassroots, community-engaged interventions that support and promote community well-being, such as digital storytelling and organic theater.
Prorock-Ernest’s dissertation research is a constructivist exploration of the multiple meanings of health and healing among a group of Virginia Indian people connected to a rurally located, reservation-based, non-federally funded health clinic. The inquiry is grounded in, and informed by, Prorock-Ernest’s long-standing relationship with Virginia Indian people.
Prorock-Ernest has teaching experience in the VCU M.S.W. Program distance education format. Her teaching interests include social justice, international social work, health and social work, community and organizational practice, human behavior in the social environment, and research. Prorock-Ernest has served as program coordinator for a multifaceted, community-engaged research project at VCU concerning research ethics.
Prorock-Ernest is committed to multiparadigmatic, anti-oppressive and decolonizing thought, practice, research and pedagogy.
Categories Faculty and staff, Students