ELIZABETH M. O'CALLAGHAN, PH.D.
Specializing in academic research, editing, and proposal development
PROFESSIONAL BIO
Dr. Elizabeth O’Callaghan has over 20 years experience in higher education administration, academic research, graduate-level teaching, grant making, communications, and research development. Her most recent work includes serving as an an editor and content strategist with Wisconsin Collaborative Education Research Network (The Network) in the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Education and instructor for the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (ELPA).
Elizabeth is a compassionate and knowledgeable teacher and academic researcher and a strong written communicator. Her research on the glass ceiling in higher education appears in books and multiple peer-reviewed journals. Her comprehensive editorial support includes an emphasis on developmental editing and she regularly supports education faculty with their research initiatives, manuscripts, professional speeches, and foundation and federal grant applications.
In addition to earning a certificate in proposal management from the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP), Elizabeth is an active member of the National Organization for Research Development Professionals (NORDP). Most recently, she worked with The Network to provide editorial support to over 170 faculty and staff members as they applied for internal grant funds through the innovative Grand Challenges program which provided over $1.8 million to fund interdisciplinary research in education, health-related disciplines, and the arts.
RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT
Elizabeth's broad range of intersecting skills in higher education find a home under the umbrella of research development (RD). These activities support the development of ideas, teams, and resources to secure grants for research-related activities. She is a current and active member of the National Organization for Research Development Professionals (NORDP).
DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING
Developmental editing is an approach that focuses on bringing clarity and direction to innovative research ideas. Elizabeth is skilled in providing fast and comprehensive feedback on written documents, including publishable manuscripts, grant applications, and other professional reports and communications.
PROPOSAL MANAGEMENT
Elizabeth holds a certificate in proposal management from the Association for Proposal Management Professionals (APMP). She is skilled in all steps of the proposal development process including opportunity assessment and proposal planning.
WRITING COACHING
In both one-on-one and group settings, Elizabeth is skilled in leading writing workshops aimed at facilitating successful writing outcomes. She has worked with both faculty and graduate students and can instruct on a wide range of academic writing, time management, and project management techniques.
Elizabeth has authored and edited two books and published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and research reports. She continues to prepare professional reports and edit grant applications for private foundations and federal opportunities.
This volume offers readers a comprehensive means to understanding glass ceiling effects in higher education. Each chapter approaches the glass ceiling from a different perspective, providing compelling
arguments that truly highlight the importance and usefulness of collecting data on this topic.
This study investigates the role of gender in senior-level position attainment for teaching faculty and academic leaders in the academic workforce. Guided in part by the glass ceiling concept, employment models were specified to examine gender disparities in position attainment with regard to productivity-related variables. More specifically, the study investigates to what extent male and female employees differ on various indicators of career advancement. Results from the study highlight disparities by gender as well as its interaction with race/ethnicity regarding workplace experience and job satisfaction. Additionally, findings show that work-life balance issues (e.g., the presence of childcare benefits and leave policies) produced only minimal impact on the career prospects of either male or female employees.
Many colleges and universities in the United States experience challenges associated with achieving ethnic and racial administrative diversity at their institutions. Surmounting these challenges is imperative, as student bodies at American colleges and universities are rapidly growing more diverse. Colleges and universities need an equally diverse administrative staff to build and maintain an institutional culture and climate that supports one aspect of the American dream--a college eduction.
This monograph is designed to help policymakers, administrators, faculty,researchers, and governing boards to better understand the work life realities and experiences for administrators of color to enhance leadership possibilities for people of color in higher education.
TEACHING
GRADUATE COURSES @ UW-MADISON
Elizabeth has served as an adjunct instructor for the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (ELPA) since 2013. During that time she has worked with over 75 graduate students.
Courses:
ELPA 701 Introduction to Higher Education
ELPA 777 HPCE Master’s Capstone Seminar
ELPA 825 Advanced Research Methods in Education
BADGES AND CERTIFICATIONS
UW-Madison Preparing to Teach Online (PTO) Badge, June 2020
The Discussion Project, July 2020
WORKSHOPS AND COACHING
In addition to traditional courses, Elizabeth has led writing workshops for faculty and graduate students, served as a facilitator for graduate student groups, provided one-on-one writing coaching for faculty members, and supported higher education leaders as they prepared professional speeches and written manuscripts for publication.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Elizabeth is a director with the Foundation for Madison's Public Schools (FMPS). She has served on the Community Partnerships Committee, hosted a table for the Circle of Friends annual fundraiser, and is a member of the Schools Make Madison Champions donor circle. She is currently a member of the Executive Committee. Her second and final term will conclude in September 2021.
Since 2016, Elizabeth has served as a volunteer committee member and adult mentor to scholarship recipients at Madison East High School (her alma mater, class of '95).
Beginning in 2016, Elizabeth has been volunteering as a member of the fundraising committee to secure a new location for the Red Caboose Child Care Center, Inc. on Madison's near east side.
After serving for two years as co-president of the Franklin Randall PTO (2014-2016), Elizabeth began volunteering to sew fleece hats twice per year as part of ongoing fundraising activities for the public schools. Under the leadership of 'The Hat Ladies,' she has sewn over 100 fleece hats for local school children.
