In many ways, our lives are dominated by our work experiences. Negative or repressive work experiences result in decreased productivity, but also cause personal, family, and societal problems. A major focus of my research is on understanding how we can create workplaces that are more positive, more humane for everyone, and more accepting and integrative for those who are different. This long-standing focus of my research, teaching, and practice is inspired by my experiences as an HR practitioner, my own experiences of working life, and my personal interest in social justice and fairness.
Journal Publications
Githens, R. P. (2012). Approaches to diversity in educating for LGBTQ-friendly changes in a university. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, 5(4), 207-221. (A journal of the American Psychological Association) PDF File
Githens, R. P. (2012). Organization change and social organizing strategies: Employee-initiated organization development. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 23(4), 487-518. PDF File
Schmidt, S. W., Githens, R. P., Rocco, T. S., Kormanik, M. (2012). Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgendered people and human resource development: An examination of the literature. Human Resource Development Review, 11(3), 328-350. PDF File
Githens, R. P. (2011). Diversity and incivility: Toward an action-oriented approach. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 13(1), 40-53. doi: 10.1177/1523422311410646. PDF File
Maurer, M. & Githens, R. P. (2010). Toward a re-framing of action research for human resource and organization development: Moving beyond problem solving and toward dialogue. Action Research Journal, 8(3), 267-292. PDF File
Githens, R. P. (2009). Capitalism, identity politics, and queerness converge: LGBT employee resource groups. New Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development, 23(3), 18-31. PDF File
Githens, R. P. (2009). Leadership and power in fostering a collaborative community in a non-profit professional organization. Systemic Practice and Action Research, 22(5), 413-429. doi:10.1007/s11213-009-9138-8 PDF File
Githens, R. P. & Aragon, S. R. (2009). LGBT employee groups: Goals and organizational structures. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 11(1), 121-135. PDF Files
Githens, R. P. (2007). Older adults and e-learning: Opportunities and barriers. Quarterly Review of Distance Education, 8(4), pp. 329-338. PDF File
Selected Conference Papers
Githens, R. P. (2009). Diversity and ressentiment in educating for LGBTQ-friendly changes in a university. In R. L. Lawrence (Ed.), Proceedings of the 50th Annual Adult Education Research Conference (pp. 125-130). Chicago: National-Louis University. PDF File
Githens, R. P. (2008). Capitalism, identity politics, and queerness converge: LGBT employee resource groups. In T. J. Chermack (Ed.), Academy of Human Resource Development Conference Proceedings (pp. 209-216). Bowling Green, OH: AHRD. PDF File
Githens, R. P. (2007). Leadership and power in fostering a collaborative community in a non-profit professional organization. In R. C. Young (Ed.), Proceedings of the 26th Annual Midwest Research-to-Practice Conference in Adult, Continuing, Community, and Extension Education (pp. 43-48). Muncie, IN: Ball State University. PDF File
Githens, R. P. & Aragon, S. R. (2007). LGBTQ employee groups: Who are they good for? How are they organized? In L. Servage and T. Fenwick (Eds.), Learning in Community: Proceedings of the Joint International Conference of the Adult Education Research Conference (AERC) (48th National Conference) and the Canadian Association for the Study of Adult Education (CASAE)/l’Association Canadienne pour l’Étude de l’Éducation des Adultes (ACÉÉA) (26th National Conference) (pp. 223-228). Edmonton: University of Alberta. PDF File
Githens, R. P. (2007). Critical action research in human resource development. In F. M. Nafukho (Ed.), Academy of Human Resource Development Conference Proceedings (pp. 481-488). Bowling Green, OH: AHRD. PDF File
