Education

2003 State University of New York at New Paltz, B.A.
2008 Northern Arizona University, M.A.
2016 University of South Florida, Ph.D.

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Courses Taught

Introduction to Sociology 
Sociology of Childhood
Social Psychology: A Sociological Approach
Qualitative Research Methods 
Sustainability and Society

Career Specialties

Damien Contessa’s areas of expertise include the intersection of social psychology and environmental sociology, with an emphasis on social constructionism, narrative sociology and qualitative methods.

Contessa's areas of teaching interest include active learning and contemplative pedagogy, with an emphasis on applying sociological learning through personal development and community engagement using methods of student engagement and collaboration.

Professional and Community Activities

In his work, 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 and communication. In his dissertation, he integrated research from the fields of social psychology, cultural anthropology and environmental studies to look at the storytelling that arises when wild animals don’t do what they are expected to do in public places. More specifically, he employed narrative analysis and ethnography to examine three case studies where “wild” animals unexpectedly challenged, transgressed or blurred socially defined boundaries in public spaces. He has published essays related to his research interests in Humanity and Society and Ecological Anthropology and presented his research at national and regional conferences such as the American Sociological Association, National Communication Association, Pacific Sociological Association and the Association of Applied and Clinical Sociology.

As an educator, advisor and mentorship leader, Contessa has twice been awarded the Distinguished Teaching Award in Sociology at USF, participated in the USF sociology department’s award-winning teacher training program, facilitated the Interdisciplinary Social Sciences’ Internship program, mentored undergraduate thesis projects and lead both online and in-person courses. At The University of Tampa, Contessa is a three-time winner of the AACS Client-Problem Solving Competition (as faculty advisor) and the J. Richard Piper Outstanding Advisor of the Year in 2022.

Honors and Awards

2021-2023 Three time winner of the AACS Client-Problem Competition, as Faculty Advisor
2022 J. Richard Piper Outstanding Advisor of the Year
2016-2019 Graduate Student Teaching Mentor
2015 Distinguished Teaching Award, Department of Sociology, University of South Florida
2014 Distinguished Teaching Award, Department of Sociology, University of South Florida