Ph.D.   Communication Sciences, Temple University, Philadelphia (2006)
M.A.   Applied Communication, Temple University, Philadelphia (1999)
B.A.     Communication Studies, Concordia University, Montreal (1995)

My broad professional aim is to advance positive approaches to change for individuals and organizations. My academic writing mainly focuses on developing conflict coaching, a process to support individuals in better understanding and communicating when facing interpersonal and organizational conflict. Other current endeavors center on the communication implications of Appreciative Inquiry and Positive Psychology for leaders and organizations. Over the years I have acquired applied experience in a number of communication specialty areas including conflict management, personal branding, presentation skills, and organizational change.

Book
Jones, T. S., & Brinkert, R. (2008). Conflict coaching: Conflict management strategies and skills for the individual. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Peer Reviewed Articles
Brinkert, R. (2011). “Conflict Coaching Training for Nurse Managers: A Case Study of a Two-Hospital Health Care System,” Journal of Nursing Management, 19, 80-91.
Brinkert, R. (2010). “Conflict coaching and the organizational ombuds field.” Journal of the International Ombudsman Association, 3 (1), 47-53.
Brinkert, R. (2010). “A literature review of conflict causes, costs, benefits, and interventions in nursing,” Journal of Nursing Management, 18, 145-156.
Brinkert, R. (2009). “The roots of the public policy process: Using conflict coaching to initiate and sustain public manager commitment to citizen engagement,” International Journal of Public Participation, 3 (1), 63-79.
Brinkert, R. (2006). “Conflict coaching: Advancing the alternative dispute resolution field by developing an individual disputant process,” Conflict Resolution Quarterly, 23 (4), 517-528.
Brinkert, R. (2002). “ADR plus one: Developing ADR practice through coaching,” Conflict Resolution in Higher Education Report, 2 (2), February 2002. Available in an abridged format at: http://www.campus-adr.org . Reprinted on New York State Dispute Resolution Association Website and Mediate.com.

Teaching Resource
Jones, T. S., & Brinkert, R. (2008). Conflict coaching resources CD-ROM. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Entering the classroom, whether physical or virtual, is one of the great joys of my life. For me, the door to learning is always open, no matter where I am in this world. Engaged teaching and learning may be supported by technologies; most importantly, though, they are alive in conversations that connect each to each other and thread the past, present, and future. More than my subject matter, it is this love of learning that I hope I successfully share each day at Penn State Abington.

I regularly teach the following courses…

CAS 100 B Effective Speaking (summer)
CAS 352 Organizational Communication (fall and spring)
CAS 404 Conflict Resolution and Negotiation (spring)
CC 403W Studies in PR (functions as the capstone course in CC) (fall and spring)
CC 495 Internship (fall and every second summer)

I have designed and delivered hybrid courses and a study abroad course. I have also designed two Penn State World Campus courses.

I routinely work with one or two ACURA students on research projects related to our shared interests.

“Top Panel Award.” Received as a co-recipient alongside Penn State Abington student Courtney Greenberg and other participating panelists. Awarded by the Training and Development Division at the National Communication Association 97th Annual Convention in New Orleans in November 2011. The award was given to a group of scholars involved with the session "Giving Voice: A Metaphor for Everything from Training Students to the Creation of a Discipline." The panel involved the presentation of four papers including "The Voice of Gratitude in Organizations: The Gratitude Communication Training and Development Opportunity" that Dr. Brinkert lead-authored and Ms. Greenberg co-authored.

“Faculty/Staff Collegiality Award.” Received for outstanding collegiality at the Penn State Abington Campus. Awarded by the Faculty and Staff Awards Committee, 2011.

“Top Convention Paper.” Received for exceptional scholarship to the Training and Development Division of the National Communication Association. Awarded at the National Communication Association 96th Annual Convention in San Francisco in November 2010 for an early version of what became the Journal of Nursing Management article “Conflict Coaching Training for Nurse Managers: A Case Study of a Two-Hospital Health Care System.”
“The Penn State Abington Lion Heart Award.” Received for commitment to excellence. Awarded by the Penn State Abington Graduating Class of 2009.
“The Temple University Diamond Award.” Selected as outstanding mentor of the year for fostering the development of university student leaders as conflict resolution coaches, mediators, and trainers. Awarded by the Temple University Division of Student Affairs, 2001.
“The Violence Prevention Award.” Received in recognition of an outstanding contribution to violence prevention in North Vancouver for innovative work done in school communities. Awarded by the City of North Vancouver and the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, 1997.