Victoria Burns

Dr. Vicki L. Burns is an assistant teaching professor in the Center for Women's and Gender Studies at Florida International University. Dr. Burns earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Miami. Dr. Burns specializes in violence prevention, with concentrations in teaching innovations and social action through an intersectional and feminist lens. Dr. Burns uses the academic classroom as a space for students to create solutions to the problems they face in their everyday lives.

Dr. Burns has been nationally and locally recognized for her teaching and pedagogical approaches. Nationally, she was awarded the Inaugural Action Teaching Award from the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Division 9 and the Mary Roth Walsh Teaching the Psychology of Women Honorable Mention Award from APA Division 35. Dr. Burns was also recognized by Ashoka U with a #MillionsofChangemakers award. Dr. Burns’ teaching has also been recognized locally, as she was awarded Florida International University's Top Scholar Award and Faculty Senate Award for Excellence in Teaching. Dr. Burns' work has been published in peer-reviewed academic journals such as Violence Against Women, Psychology of Women Quarterly and Women & Therapy. Her teaching innovations have also been featured in local media outlets such as The Miami Herald, The Miami New Times and iHeart Radio.

Selected Publications

Burns, V.L. (2020). Utilizing intersectional pedagogy in a campus sexual assault course [Intersectionality in Education, Training, and Praxis]. Women and Therapy, 43(3-4), 389-399.  

Burns, V.L., Eaton, A.A., Long, H., & Zapp, D. (2019). Exploring the role of race and gender on perceived bystander ability and intent: Findings before and after exposure to an online training program to combat sexual assault on campus. Violence Against Women. doi:10.1177/1077801218807089 

Recent Grants

The Black Mothers Care Plan: Reducing Racial Bias and Supporting Maternal and Infant Health Role: Co-PI; Funding Source: The Children’s Trust

Recently Created Courses

• WST 3011: Understanding and Preventing Campus Sexual Assault
• WST 4930: Peer Leadership, Violence Prevention, and Social Change