<< Back to Faculty Sophie Trawalter Associate Professor of Public Policy and Psychology Education & Training Ph.D. in Psychological & Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College M.A. in Psychological & Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College B.A. in Psychology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington B.S. in Mathematics, University of North Carolina at Wilmington 434-243-3726 strawalter@virginia.edu Garrett Hall L004B Curriculum Vitae Courses taught PSYC 2600 “Social Psychology” PPOL 5025/PSYC 5559 “Wise Interventions: Social Psychology for Public Policy” PPOL/PSYC 5035 “Leadership and Managing Diverse Groups” PPOL 6745/PSYC 4750 “Stigma and Social Disparities” Research interests Social Psychology Areas of focus Leadership Racial Justice and Equity Social Equity Social Psychology I’m an Associate Professor of Public Policy and Psychology. I study phenomena related to social diversity. Specifically, I examine how people navigate intergroup contact and intergroup contexts. I am especially interested in how people develop competencies and learn to thrive in diverse spaces. In one line of research, I investigate stress and coping responses to interracial contact. Within this line of research, I examine people’s short-term behavioral and physiological responses to interracial contact as well as longer-term, health-relevant physiological changes in response to diversity experiences. Other lines of research explore people’s ability to detect discrimination accurately and the social ecology of privilege. Ultimately, the aim of this work is to develop constructive strategies to cope with the challenges of diversity in organizations, public arenas, and private spaces. In time, such strategies may reduce intergroup tensions and improve outcomes for both traditionally stigmatized and non-stigmatized group members. Related Content Batten Faculty Recognized for Excellence in Teaching, Service, Research and Engagement News This academic year, Batten School professors won a slew of internal and external recognitions for excellence in teaching, service, research and engagement. Why Professors Should Call on Law Students — With a Plan News A new paper by Batten School professor Sophie Trawalter finds gender dynamics in classes are not fixed. Gender Differences in Law School Classroom Participation: The Key Role of Social Context Research Even though women make up roughly half of the students enrolled in law school today, they do not take up roughly half of the speaking time in law school classes. We found that women, more than men, report backlash for speaking in class, and this difference affects their willingness to participate in the law school classroom. Racial Bias in Perceptions of Disease and Policy Research Narratives about Africa as dark, depraved, and diseased justified the exploitation of African land and people. Today, these narratives may still have a hold on people’s fears about disease. This group of scholars conducts tests and studies that, when taken together, make clear that reactions to pandemics are biased, and in a way consistent with historical narratives about race and Africa. Confederate monuments and the history of lynching in the American South: An empirical examination Research The present work interrogates the history of Confederate memorializations by examining the relationship between these memorializations and lynching, an explicitly racist act of violence. Brown-Iannuzzi, Claibourn, Trawalter: ‘Confederate memorials are associated with hate’ — New UVA study shows ‘significant’ correlation between lynchings and monuments News A UVA research team, including three Batten professors, uncovered a quantifiable relationship between Confederate memorials and the explicitly racist practice of lynching. New UVA Study Finds Correlation Between Lynchings and Confederate Monuments News A team of Batten and psychology researchers are bringing an empirical perspective to a national conversation. Black People’s Pain Has Long Been Underestimated. It’s Time For That To Change. News Compelling evidence from multiple studies points to racial disparities in healthcare—both in access to care and quality of care. In an article for Women's Health, Batten's Sophie Trawalter discusses her research exploring racial bias in healthcare. Black Americans are Systematically Under-Treated for Pain. Why? News When it comes to the healthcare you receive, the color of your skin can make a significant difference, social psychologist Sophie Trawalter told an online audience last week. View All
Batten Faculty Recognized for Excellence in Teaching, Service, Research and Engagement News This academic year, Batten School professors won a slew of internal and external recognitions for excellence in teaching, service, research and engagement.
Why Professors Should Call on Law Students — With a Plan News A new paper by Batten School professor Sophie Trawalter finds gender dynamics in classes are not fixed.
Gender Differences in Law School Classroom Participation: The Key Role of Social Context Research Even though women make up roughly half of the students enrolled in law school today, they do not take up roughly half of the speaking time in law school classes. We found that women, more than men, report backlash for speaking in class, and this difference affects their willingness to participate in the law school classroom.
Racial Bias in Perceptions of Disease and Policy Research Narratives about Africa as dark, depraved, and diseased justified the exploitation of African land and people. Today, these narratives may still have a hold on people’s fears about disease. This group of scholars conducts tests and studies that, when taken together, make clear that reactions to pandemics are biased, and in a way consistent with historical narratives about race and Africa.
Confederate monuments and the history of lynching in the American South: An empirical examination Research The present work interrogates the history of Confederate memorializations by examining the relationship between these memorializations and lynching, an explicitly racist act of violence.
Brown-Iannuzzi, Claibourn, Trawalter: ‘Confederate memorials are associated with hate’ — New UVA study shows ‘significant’ correlation between lynchings and monuments News A UVA research team, including three Batten professors, uncovered a quantifiable relationship between Confederate memorials and the explicitly racist practice of lynching.
New UVA Study Finds Correlation Between Lynchings and Confederate Monuments News A team of Batten and psychology researchers are bringing an empirical perspective to a national conversation.
Black People’s Pain Has Long Been Underestimated. It’s Time For That To Change. News Compelling evidence from multiple studies points to racial disparities in healthcare—both in access to care and quality of care. In an article for Women's Health, Batten's Sophie Trawalter discusses her research exploring racial bias in healthcare.
Black Americans are Systematically Under-Treated for Pain. Why? News When it comes to the healthcare you receive, the color of your skin can make a significant difference, social psychologist Sophie Trawalter told an online audience last week.