Doctoral Candidate Shares Bystander Intervention Research With International Audience

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Doctoral candidate Eric Schisler speaks to psychology students at St. Aloysius College in Mangaluru, Karnataka, India.

Doctoral candidate Eric Schisler made his international debut this summer when he was invited to share his research about bystander intervention.

The Health, Sport and Exercise Science Ph.D. candidate in the College of Education and Health Professions most recently guest lectured to a large group of psychology students at St. Aloysius College in Mangaluru, Karnataka, India. He's in India as a part of a study abroad program hosted by the State University of New York College at Cortland.

Schisler's presentation, titled "Bystander Intervention: A Prosocial Approach to Ending Gender Based Violence," focuses on sexual assault bystander interventions among college-age men. Schisler's research indicates that many people, especially the college males he's interviewed, don't intervene if they think their help may not be wanted or needed. He hopes to turn that around and help people understand a central message: it's better to ask people if they're OK rather than butt out.

"Eric is passionate about creating better environments wherever he is," said Page Dobbs, Schisler's doctoral mentor in the public health program and co-director of the College of Education and Health Professions Center for Public Health and Technology. "He is one of a few men who research gender-based violence, and I am proud of the important work that he is doing. He has an advocate's heart and a researcher's mind — and with these skills, he is making an important contribution to literature and society."

Schisler's research focus was influenced by his work at a women's shelter in Cortland, New York. He said, "Bystander intervention helps shift this conversation from 'As long as you aren't doing this, you can forget about it' to 'It's everyone's responsibility to keep those around them safe. Sexual violence is something no one should ever have to be subjected to, and I believe we all should be held responsible for keeping each other safe."

Schisler's current degree concentration is in health behavior and promotion. He has a degree in physical education from SUNY Cortland. After taking a year off to work as a substitute teacher and a direct support professional at The Anderson Center for Autism, he returned to SUNY Cortland to earn a master's degree in community health. He plans to complete his U of A doctoral degree in May 2024.