Dr. Doppen has been an active presenter at professional conferences, including the College and University Faculty Assembly of the National Council for the Social Studies, the American Educational Research Association and the Coalition of Essential Schools. His research interests include the teaching and learning of local history to help student develop critical skills in historical thinking, history inquiry, perspective taking and historical empathy. Since coming to Ohio University, Dr. Doppen has developed a scholarly interest in Southeast Ohio as a classroom to learn about Appalachia. He has begun several projects to engage his students in learning more about the region. He is the author of several scholarly articles on the integration of technology in the history classroom, middle level social studies education, curriculum standards and historical inquiry.