Senior Lecturer IIPhD, 2003; MS, 1999, University of Massachusetts AmherstBA, 1996, Salem State CollegeTobin 631He/him/hisName Pronunciationjbickfor@umass.eduResearch Area(s): Social PsychologyDissertation: A pragmatic definition and measure of sexual orientation for social science researchMasters Thesis: Stereotype conformity in gay people and the homosexual identity development process.TabsTeaching AWARDS 2022 Nominee, University of Massachusetts Distinguished Teaching Award 2021 Winner, University of Massachusetts College of Natural Science Teaching Award 2020 Nominee, University of Massachusetts College of Natural Science Teaching Award 2018 Nominee, University of Massachusetts Distinguished Teaching Award 2017 Nominee, University of Massachusetts Distinguished Teaching Award 2014 University of Massachusetts Residential First-Year Experience Student-Choice Award 2011 University of Massachusetts Residential First-Year Experience Student-Choice Award 2010 University of Massachusetts Residential First-Year Experience Student-Choice Award 2009 University of Massachusetts Residential First-Year Experience Student-Choice Award 2007 Nominee, University of Massachusetts Distinguished Teaching Award 2002 Nominee, McKeachie Early Career Teaching Award, The Society for the Teaching of Psychology 2001 Nominee, McKeachie Early Career Teaching Award, The Society for the Teaching of Psychology 2000 Nominee, University of Massachusetts Distinguished Teaching Award 2000 Award for Demonstrated Effectiveness in Teaching, Division of Continuing Education, University of Massachusetts Courses taught PSYCH 100: Introductory Psychology PSYCH 360: Social Psychology PSYCH 370: Personality Theory PSYCH 391LB (formerly PSYCH 391ZZ): Psychology of the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Experience Service Coordinator of Online Instruction, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (I mentor graduate students who are teaching their first online course, but I am not involved in hiring instructors and I am not the contact person for individuals seeking online teaching positions) Curriculum Vitae bickfordcv2022.pdf Biography Dr. Bickford regularly teaches Introductory Psychology, Social Psychology, Personality Theory, and Psychology of the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Experience. He also mentors and supervises instructors in online teaching of psychology and often teaches online versions of his regular courses through the Division of Continuing and Professional Education. His specialty area is personality and social psychology, and his primary interest is gay and lesbian psychology. His past research involved the development of a multidimensional model and a corresponding self-report measure of sexual orientation as distinct from sexual identity (but Dr. Bickford is now focused on undergraduate teaching and is no longer active in research). His other interests include social cognition, social influence, self-concept and identity, and social stigma. Dr. Bickford's teaching style is heavily influenced by his passions for social justice, self-acceptance, and empowerment of the marginalized. Along with the traditional course content, he helps his students to learn to understand, accept, and stand up for themselves and others. Dr. Bickford is also well regarded as an enthusiastic but terrible 5-string banjo player.
