Welcome to Dr. Curtin's Research Page!
I received my Ph.D. in Psychology (Personality and Social Contexts) and Women’s Studies from the University of Michigan, and my undergraduate degree in psychology from Smith College. I am currently the Senior Research Scientist at Connection Lab, a newly founded research group that explores the science of connection, meaning, and well-being (see more here). Prior to that, I was the Program Evaluator for the Center of Excellence in Diversity in Medical Education, at Stanford University School of Medicine, where I still consult.
I was an assistant professor at Clark University from 2011-2017. I was also a Visiting Research Associate at the Women's Studies Research Center at Brandeis University.
News and Updates
My co-edited book (Tomi-Ann Roberts, Lauren Duncan, & Lilia Cortina), Feminist perspectives on building a better psychological science of gender, is now available on Amazon.
My co-edited (Craig McGarty and Anna Kende) issue of Journal of Social Issues on Understanding Activism is now out! Check it out here.
Current Research and Teaching
Connection Lab's current research projects are described on our website, check us out!
I have just started a new collaboration with H. Shellae Versey related to political consciousness, engagement, and health. We have one paper out and are busy planning new projects!
At the undergraduate level, I have taught courses on Self and Identity in Social Context, How to Make An Activist, Introduction to Social Psychology, Laboratory in Social Psychology, and Introduction to Experimental Methods. Clark undergraduates are an incredible group of people, if you’re interested in learning more about our major, or working with me, please see below. At the graduate level, I teach Psychology of Social Change, and our Forum in Social Psychology.
I give workshops on: research methods, challenging implicit bias, and how to support (your own and others') institutional belonging among historically underrepresented groups.
Selected Publications
Activism and Social Change
Curtin, N. (2018). Development of Intersectional Awareness: Implications for effective feminist activism. Chapter to Appear in J. C. Chrisler & C. Golden Lectures on the Psychology of Women, 5th Edition. McGraw-Hill Higher Education: Columbus, OH.
Curtin, N., Kende, A., & Kende, J. 1 (2016). Navigating multiple identities: The simultaneous influence of advantaged and disadvantaged identities on politicization and activism. Journal of Social Issues, 72(2), 227-241. 1Order of authors alphabetical
Curtin, N. & McGarty, C. (2016). Expanding on psychological theories of engagement to understand activism in context(s). Journal of Social Issues, 72(2), 227-241.
Versey, H. S. & Curtin, N. (2016). The differential impact of discrimination on health among Black and White women. Social Science Research, 57, 99-115.
Curtin, N., Stewart, A. J., & Cole, E. R. (2015). Challenging the status quo: The role of intersectional awareness in activism for social change and pro-social intergroup attitudes Psychology of Women Quarterly, 39, 512-529.
Curtin, N., & Stewart, A. J. (2011). Linking personal and social histories with collective identity narratives. In S.Wiley, G. Philogène, & T. A. Revenson (Eds.), Social categories in everyday experience (pp. 83-102). Washington DC: American Psychological Association
Curtin, N., Stewart, A. J., & Duncan, L. E. (2010). When the political is personal: Openness, personal political salience, and activism. Journal of Personality, 78(3), 943-968.
McGuire, K., Stewart A. J., & Curtin, N. (2010). Becoming feminist activists: Comparing narratives. Feminist Studies, 36(1), 99-129.
Curtin, N. & Russell, G. (2016). Ally development and programming. In A. E. Goldberg (Ed.), Sage Encyclopedia of LGBTQ Studies. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Russell, G. & Curtin, N. (2016) Ally experience. In A. E. Goldberg (Ed.), Sage Encyclopedia of LGBTQ Studies. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Student Perceptions of Fit & Student Political Attitudes
Curtin, N., Malley, J., & Stewart, A. J. (2016). Mentoring the next generation of faculty: Supporting academic career aspirations among graduate students. Research in Higher Education, 1- 25.
Curtin, N., Stewart, A. J., & Ostrove, J. M. (2013). Fostering academic self-concept: Advisor support and sense of belonging among international and domestic graduate students. American Educational Research Journal, 50, 108-137.
Cole, E. R., Case, K. A., Rios, D., & Curtin, N. (2011). Understanding what students bring to the classroom: Moderators of the effects of diversity courses on student attitudes. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 17 (4), 397–405.
Ostrove, J. M., Stewart, A. J., & Curtin, N. L. (2011). Social class and belonging: Implications for graduate students’ career aspirations. Journal of Higher Education, 82(6), 748-77
Feminist Perspectives on Psychology
Curtin, N., Ramsey, L., & Tran, J. * (in press) Feminism on the ground: The benefits and risks of doing feminist research in social psychology. To appear in Feminist perspectives on building a better psychological science of gender.
Curtin, N., Hegarty, P., & Stewart, A. J. (2012). Fostering research collaborations in LGBT psychology: An introduction to the special issue, Psychology & Sexuality, 3, 187-194.
Cortina, L. M., Curtin, N., & Stewart, A. J. (2012). Where is social structure in personality research? A feminist analysis of publication trends. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 36, 259‐273.
Stewart, A. J., Cortina, L. M., & Curtin, N. (2008). Does gender matter in personality psychology? Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 2(5), 2034–2048.
Curtin, N., Ward, L. M., Merriwether, A., & Caruthers, A. (2011). Femininity ideology and sexual health in young women: A focus on sexual knowledge, agency, and embodiment. International Journal of Sexual Health, 23(1), 48-62.
EDITED WORKS
Roberts, T.A., Curtin, N., Cortina, L., & Duncan, L. (2016). Feminist perspectives on building a better psychological science of gender. New York, NY: Springer.
McGarty, C., Kende, A., & Curtin, N. (2016). Special issue: Understanding activism. Journal of Social Issues, 72(2).
Curtin, N., Hegarty, P., & Stewart, A. J. (2012). Expanding the research community in LGBT psychology: Collaborative studies from the international institute. Psychology and Sexuality [Special Issue].