Welcome to the Doctoral Research Office
Your Research. Your Contribution. Our Support.
The dissertation or doctoral research project is the most significant intellectual undertaking of your doctoral journey, and the Doctoral Research Office is here so you don’t navigate it alone.
At Sofia University, we understand that a dissertation/doctoral research project is more than a research requirement. It is an act of inquiry that grows out of who you are, what you care about, and what you believe the world needs now. Our role is to support that process from the moment your committee takes shape through the day your work is approved and submitted, through and every form, review, and milestone in between.
We oversee the research ethics review process, coordinate new committee members, guide you through each phase of proposal, draft, and edit approval, and serve as the administrative connective tissue between you and Sofia throughout your dissertation/doctoral research journey.
The Doctoral Research Office is one department of the Sofia Research Center, which oversees the Sofia University Institutional Review Board and creates courses and resources that support all phases of research.
Meet the Team
John Elfers, PhD
John Elfers is a licensed Marriage Family Therapist and a credentialed school administrator in California. He holds a doctorate in psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, graduating in 2009. Since that time, he has enjoyed conducting research in a variety of transpersonal topics. He has chaired over 60 dissertations and enjoys guiding students through
the research process. He co-teaches the Research Practicum course to help students build competence in conducting research.
Andrea Howard, PhD
Andrea Howard brings a rare combination of scholarly depth and practical institutional experience to the Doctoral Research Office. A Transpersonal Psychology PhD from Sofia and passionate educator, she has spent her career at the intersection of transformative learning, creative expression, and human development. In her role as Doctoral Research Office Coordinator and Secretary of Sofia’s newly established Institutional Review Board, she oversees the daily operations of the office and the research ethics review process and is dedicated to ensuring that every doctoral student and faculty receive responsive, informed support throughout their dissertation journey.
the research process. He co-teaches the Research Practicum course to help students build competence in conducting research.
