Who I Am

A change maker, a public intellectual, thought leader and facilitator

A thought leader, a change maker, a surehanded guide through our shifting landscapes, enriching ideas in lived experience. Speaking, moderating, writing, interviewing, working with community members, scientists, engineers, artists, cultural and commercial leaders to arrive at innovations that people can support and use, that build trust and make the most of precious resources and relationships. In one project, University of Maryland athletes, computer scientists, and a tech entrepreneur researched Augmented Reality & Student Athletes’ Movements.

I have been recognized by a number of national and regional organizations for analysis and projects. Here are some samples:

Maryland Top 100 Women

National Endowment for the Humanities Citation for Deep Community Conversations

National Education Association Office of Civil Rights Seal

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

GLAAD National Media Award

Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation Award of for Community Service

Silver Microphone Radio Awards (Two)

Best of Baltimore

Let's Connect

Dr. Parks brings a wealth of knowledge from her background in everyday aesthetics and her involvement with numerous high-impact interdisciplinary projects. As a speaker at our international symposium on Beauty at Work, she brought to bear insights integrating theory and practice in unique ways. The audience was left inspired by her rich examples of initiatives integrating art and justice which had transformative effects on diverse communities.

Brandon Vaidyanathan, Ph.D., Catholic University

I wanted scientists from around the world to appreciate why our research, constructed carefully in laboratories, matters to a wider world. Dr. Parks’ work with Baltimore youth and with farmers through the Natural Dye Initiative demonstrates powerfully the importance of beauty across race, gender, and social class. Many meeting attendees went out of their way to tell me how Dr. Parks’ presentation moved them and motivated them to think more explicitly about the social relevance of their work.

Anjan Chatterjee, M.D., Director, PENN Center for Neuroaesthetics

Sheri L. Parks rivets listeners with profound insights, drawing on deep knowledge, both academic and experiential, of what it means to endure and, beyond that, to create community today. Marked by remarkable generosity and a playful spirit, her work and her words inspire. It has been a special treat in my career to hear Dr. Parks speak and then to host her at my institution.

Bethany Wiggens, Ph.D., Founding Director, University of Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Humanities