What factors shape the way we develop, think, and act? What defines our relationships? Psychology uses scientific approaches to investigate and understand the human condition. Psychology at Sewanee aspires to take that further.
Both in and out of the classroom, Sewanee students do more than learn about psychology—they do psychology. And they do it with increasing attention and commitment to Psychology for the Public Good. How might a deeper, more nuanced understanding of psychology impact the lives of others? And how might that orientation shape the very nature of the questions we ask, the methods we use, and who is involved in that process? Our dedicated faculty equip students with a rigorous foundational understanding of psychological principles and the creative and varied methodological approaches that inform our understanding of thought and behavior, and think together with them in discovering how to apply their knowledge and skills toward creating a more just and equitable world.
As a community-based researcher, Professor Katy Morgan partners with schools and other youth-serving organizations to understand, promote, and sustain empowering community contexts where young people can engage in social change efforts and promote community wellbeing. Learn more about her Design Your Neighborhood initiatives and partnerships with other organizations.
The mission of the Grundy Safe Communities Coalition is to establish a safe, caring, drug-free community that supports local youth and families. Professor Kate Cammack and her students have been partnering with the GSCC to collect and analyze data on local adolescents’ perceptions, attitudes, and worldviews, to help inform evidence-based approaches to education and prevention.
Professor Sherry Hamby is the Founder and Director of Life Paths Research Center, which works to create spaces for scholars and advocates to gather and work toward a joint mission of reducing the burden of trauma and building resilience. Life Paths is also the home of ResilienceCon.
Professor Chris Silver co-hosts The Rural Voice, the official podcast of the National Rural Education Association. Professor Silver and his co-hosts consider common themes and experiences of teachers, parents, and administrators in elementary and secondary rural education.
Professor Karen Yu urges us to consider how we might apply what science tells us about how our minds work to all that we do and design, in ways that liberate and empower the full cognitive potential of each person. Better thinking—deeper, more creative, more nuanced, more expansive thinking—is arguably what we need most, with implications for our interactions, policies, and civic discourse.
Sewanee’s Psychology curriculum is designed to cultivate core competencies in psychology. Students explore core subdisciplines in psychology and engage in hands-on laboratory courses that allow them to develop and conduct inquiry-driven research projects in psychology. Our current course offerings reflect the breath of psychology and emphasize modern and integrative approaches to understanding the human condition.
Explore the research programs run by our Psychology faculty and discover how our students conduct and present scientific research of their own.
Meet our incredible faculty!
Sewanee’s Psychology community welcomes all members, from the psych-curious to the newly declared major to the graduating senior. Discover the many ways to connect with other students, interact with faculty, engage with social and professional networks, and contribute to your local and global communities.
A diverse and developing collection of innovative collaborations between Sewanee and Yale School of Medicine combining the unique strengths these two institutions offer tremendous possibilities for students, faculty, and community partners both on the Mountain and in New Haven. Our cross-institutional collaborations range from courses to research projects to community engagement efforts. The partnership between these two institutions continues to grow and evolve and the opportunities are many.
Sewanee’s undergraduate research program gives students the opportunity to explore new ideas, sharpen their research skills, and get a head start on a career or graduate school. Almost a quarter of students here were involved in mentored research projects last year, in the sciences (of course)—but also in the arts, English, politics, and more. Students have the chance to wow their peers by giving talks and presenting posters during Scholarship Sewanee, the annual celebration of student scholarship and creativity.
The Sewanee-at-Yale summer internship is an eight-week mentored research experience at the Yale Child Study Center in the Yale School of Medicine. Students are immersed in the day-to-day workings of a research laboratory, gain experience in clinical settings, and participate in regular discussions and workshops. The summer + semester directed research program offers an extended experience.
Need help with a paper? The Writing Center provides you with objective peer support and instruction for writing projects. The student tutors represent a wide range of majors, and they can help you at any stage in the writing process—topic development, rough drafts, final drafts, revisions, etc. They’re basically your cheerleader from brainstorming to final draft.
