Megan C. Mullins, PhD , GDI Associate, received her doctorate in Sociology from Western Michigan University . Dr. Mullins specializes in qualitative research methods and has experience conducting focus groups, key stakeholder interviews, participant observation, secondary data analysis, and content analysis research. She also has extensive experience developing and directing survey research projects emphasizing community development initiatives. Most recently, she completed with Janet Billson a survey and set of public meetings for Texas Township, Michigan, on "What Kind of Community?" residents want as rural development proceeds rapidly in their area.

Dr. Mullins' research has been used to evaluate and make improvements to organizational services, begin new initiatives, and strengthen organizational strategic plans. She has directed both qualitative and quantitative research projects for clients such as Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, the Battle Creek Women's Drug Court , the Department of Public Affairs and Administration at Western Michigan University , and the John E. Fetzer Institute. Dr. Mullins teaches Introduction to Sociology, Social Problems, Research Methods, and Sociological Theory at the college level. She has extensive experience with conflict resolution techniques and mediation processes.

As a former court-appointed mediator and child visitation facilitator, Dr. Mullins has worked with both children and parents involved in the family court system and performed court-ordered mediations between separated or divorced parents over child visitation schedules. Additionally, she has mediated neighbor-to-neighbor and small claims court disputes, as well as disputes involving Personal Protection Orders between parties. She was also a trainer for the Conflict Resolution Training for Youth program in Oakland County , MI where she taught conflict resolution skills to third through fifth grade children, high school youth, and the parents of these youth. She also produced a recent GDI needs assessment for the Warren (RI) Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force.