Erela Portugaly
New York,NY
Summary
Sociologist and researcher with high-quality experience in managing complex social science projects in sensitive and protected fields. Committed to applying rigorous research methodologies to advance evidence-based social policy.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
Doctoral Researcher
Columbia University
New York
2012 - 2020
- Designed, executed and analyzed a research study on reproductive decision-making and psychiatric care, handling all phases from initial recruitment to data collection.
- Conducted and transcribed semi-structured interviews and designed and executed a unique survey for protected populations.
- Recruited and conducted outreach to multiple organizations and online communities focused on mental health to facilitate community-centered research.
- Analyzed qualitative data to identify how institutional classifications, familial relationships and illness biography impact reproductive decision making and understanding of selfhood in the context of psychiatric diagnoses.
- Applied and managed ethical and IRB requirements for researching protected populations
Adjunct Assistant Professor
City College of New York
New York
2023 - Current
- Developed course materials that enhanced student engagement and understanding of subject matter.
- Facilitated discussions to encourage critical thinking and collaborative learning among students.
- Evaluated student performance through assessments, providing constructive feedback for improvement.
- Integrated technology in lesson plans to support diverse learning styles and enhance educational experiences.
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Fordham University
New York
2024 - 2025
- Developed comprehensive lesson plans that addressed individual student needs, resulting in higher levels of engagement and understanding.
- Increased student participation by utilizing engaging group activities, interactive lectures, and thought-provoking assignments.
- Evaluated student performance through various assessment methods, providing regular feedback to support their ongoing progress.
Research Assistant
Van Leer Institute, Jerusalem
New York
01.2014 - 2014
- Collected and documented archival data on the historical sociology of developmental disabilities in Israel
- Prof. Gil Eyal (Columbia University) Prof. Pnina Steinberg (Van Leer Institute, Jerusalem)
Education
Ph.D. - Sociology
Columbia University
New York, NY01-2022
MPhil - Sociology
Columbia University
New York, NY01-2017
MA - Sociology
Columbia University
New York, NY01-2015
MA - Political Science & Middle East Studies, magna cum laude
Ben Gurion University
Beer-Sheba, Israel01-2006
BA - Political Science & Middle East Studies
Ben Gurion University
Beer-Sheba, Israel01-2003
Skills
- Project Design & Execution: Experienced in developing research frameworks, including survey instruments and interview protocols for sensitive social topics
- Qualitative Analysis: Strong background in thematic coding and data synthesis Skilled at translating complex findings into narratives for policy and advocacy
- Ethical Standards: Deeply familiar with IRB protocols and the ethical requirements for conducting research with vulnerable or protected groups
- Experience with NVivo, Qualtrics, Microsoft Excel, STATA, SPSS, R, and Tableau
- Community Engagement: Proven track record of building trust and coordinating outreach with community stakeholders and social service providers
Teaching
- Classical Sociological Theory
- Sociology of mental health and illness
- Introduction to Sociology
- Disability. Culture. Literature
- Sociology of Work and Gender (Teaching Fellow)
- The Social World (Teaching Fellow)
- Classical Political Theory (Teaching Fellow)
Timeline
Research Assistant
Van Leer Institute, Jerusalem
01.2014 - 2014
MA - Political Science & Middle East Studies, magna cum laude
Ben Gurion University
BA - Political Science & Middle East Studies
Ben Gurion University
Doctoral Researcher
Columbia University
2012 - 2020
Adjunct Assistant Professor
City College of New York
2023 - Current
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Fordham University
2024 - 2025
Ph.D. - Sociology
Columbia University
MPhil - Sociology
Columbia University
MA - Sociology
Columbia University