Dr. Kathryn Howell – Information for Prospective Graduate Students
Website: In development
Current research: My program of research centers on the health and well-being of children and families. Across my studies, I assess individual, relational, and contextual factors that enhance resilience or reduce risk for psychopathology following exposure to traumatic events. My work represents two independent research areas: 1) examining how adversities in the family system (e.g., intimate partner violence, death of a loved one) affect psychopathology and resilience in parents and children; and 2) developing strengths-based interventions and evaluating their mechanisms of change for children and families exposed to adversity. My Google Scholar profile is a good resource to review recent publications, including those by students in the lab.
Communication Prior to Applying: It is my policy to not have video calls/meetings with prospective students prior to the application process. I also don’t prioritize applications from prospective students who have contacted me prior to applying. This is for reasons of fairness – in particular to ensure that I am able to read every application that I receive with an open mind and from the same initial starting point. That said, if there are questions about my research or lab that you have that would be helpful to have answered as you prepare your application, I’m happy to answer them via email at khhowell@wisc.edu, especially since my UW lab website is still forthcoming. If you have questions about completing/submitting the UW Madison Psychology Department application itself, the best person to contact is our graduate coordinator, kbelt@psych.wisc.edu
Areas I’m Willing to Advise Students in: Clinical
How I Evaluate Applicants: Like all faculty members in the Psychology Department, I evaluate prospective graduate students in a holistic manner. I therefore consider all of the possible ways in which students’ application materials can demonstrate excellence and a strong likelihood to thrive in the graduate program and in my lab. As such, the information below highlights some of the attributes that I look for among applicants; they should be treated as general rules of thumb rather than a highly proscriptive “checklist” that candidates must have in order to be considered for admittance to my lab.
In evaluating applicants, I consider their research experience and aptitude, their academic record and potential, and their demonstrated interest in scientific questions that are the focus of research in my lab. Most successful applicants have had previous research experience – for example, as a research assistant in a psychology lab (or a related field). More competitive applicants have typically also conducted some type of independent research, whether a senior thesis, an independent research project, etc. Notably, as all students may not have the same access to opportunities, I also consider the extent to which applicants have sought out and taken advantage of experiences available to them (e.g., summer research programs). Finally, I am looking for applicants that have a strong motivation to conduct research in my lab and a demonstrated interest in studies related to trauma and resilience. Given that several of the studies active in my lab involve research with children, it is also helpful for applicants to have previously worked with children.