Faculty Experts

From the discovery of new planets to the work of noted criminologists, SF State offers a wide variety of scholars who are the most distinguished in their fields. This directory identifies academics who possess insight and knowledge of diverse subjects and who are willing to work with journalists whenever possible. The faculty experts directory is compiled by the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications.

If you need immediate assistance finding an expert, please call (415) 338-1665 or email pubcom@sfsu.edu. 

Bruce Heiman

Bruce Heiman

Professor of International Business

Office Phone: (415) 405-0596

Email: bruce.a.heiman@gmail.com

Bruce Heiman is an expert on innovation in business, international business strategy and place marketing in which countries or regions market themselves to target audiences.

Areas of Expertise:

International business strategy and alliances

Innovation and creativity in business

Place branding/ public diplomacy

Highest Degree:

Ph.D. Business and Public Policy, University of California, Berkeley


Jason Henderson

Jason Henderson

Professor of Geography & Environment

Office Phone: (415) 405-2483

Email: jhenders@sfsu.edu

Jason Henderson is an expert on the geography and politics of transportation and land use in cities, particularly San Francisco, New Orleans and Atlanta.

Areas of Expertise:

Urban transportation

Conflict over urban space and car parking

Bicycle politics in San Francisco

Highest Degree:

Ph.D., Geography, University of Georgia


Colleen Hoff

Colleen Hoff

Professor of Sexuality Studies and Director of the Center for Research and Education on Gender and Sexuality

Office Phone: (415) 817-4510

Email: choff@sfsu.edu

Colleen Hoff is a clinical psychologist with expertise on how relationship dynamics affect sexual risk among gay couples.

Areas of Expertise:

Sexual health

HIV/AIDS prevention

Sexual risk among gay male couples

Highest Degree:

Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, California School of Professional Psychology


Barbara Holzman

Barbara Holzman

Professor Emerita of Geography & Environment

Office Phone: (415) 338-7506

Email: bholzman@sfsu.edu

Barbara Holzman is an expert on how plant species and communities react to natural and human disturbances such as fire and mining, and has conducted research on Lake Merced and Point Reyes National Seashore.

Areas of Expertise:

Biogeography

Natural resource management

Environmental issues

Highest Degree:

Ph.D., Wildland Resource Science, University of California, Berkeley


Karen Hossfeld

Karen Hossfeld

Associate Professor of Sociology

Office Phone: (415) 338-7059

Email: hossfeld@sfsu.edu

Karen Hossfeld is an expert on Silicon Valley's immigrant labor force, particularly women in production jobs.

Areas of Expertise:

Gender and society

Women workers in high tech

Labor organizing in immigrant communities

Highest Degree:

Ph.D., Sociology, University of California, Santa Cruz


Ryan Howell

Ryan Howell

Professor of Psychology

Office Phone: (415) 405-2140

Email: rhowell@sfsu.edu

Ryan Howell is an expert on the link between purchasing habits and happiness and how such factors as personality and an individual's approach to the past, present and future affect their happiness. His research suggests that people gain greater happiness from spending money on life experiences rather than material items.

Areas of Expertise:

The relationships among wealth

consumption and happiness

Factors that affect human happiness

Highest Degree:

Ph.D, social/personality psychology, University of California, Riverside


Dina Ibrahim

Dina Ibrahim

Professor of Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts

Office Phone: (415) 338-1528

Email: ibrahimdinaa@yahoo.com

Dina Ibrahim analyzes the post-9/11 visual framing of American television news representation of Arab and Muslim societies, as well as the psychological impact of television depictions on Jewish and Muslim audiences in the U.S. and Middle East. She has reported for the BBC World Service Radio in London, CNN in Atlanta and Cairo, National Public Radio in Austin, Texas, and United Press International in Cairo. She has co-produced an award-winning radio show on KPOO 89.5 FM in San Francisco and currently produces the show ArabTV that airs on San Jose Community Channels 15 and 27.

Areas of Expertise:

Middle Eastern politics

Middle Eastern media

Islam

Highest Degree:

Ph.D., Journalism, University of Texas


William Issel

William Issel

Professor Emeritus of History

Office Phone: (415) 338-2250

Email: bi@sfsu.edu

William Issel studies the history of the U.S. since 1900 and is an expert on the role of ethnicity, race, religion, and politics in American cities, particularly the city of San Francisco.

Areas of Expertise:

Modern U.S. urban history

Religion and politics in U.S. history

Civil liberties and civil rights in U.S. history

Highest Degree:

Ph.D., American Civilization, University of Pennsylvania