Lab Director
Tess M.S. Neal, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Psychology in ASU's School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (one of three schools in the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences). She is a founding faculty member of ASU's Law and Behavioral Science Initiative, which won the 2020 President's Award for Innovation. She is also inaugural director of ASU's Future of Forensic Science Initiative. She is a scientist, a licensed psychologist (State of Arizona #4630 and State of Nebraska #844 [voluntary inactive status in NE]), and a parent of two young children.
Her research has been funded by multiple grants from the National Science Foundation, and she has published one edited book and more than three dozen peer-reviewed publications in such journals as Psychological Science in the Public Interest, American Psychologist; PLOS ONE; Psychology, Public Policy, and Law; and Criminal Justice and Behavior. She serves as associate editor for the Journal of Personality Assessment. and Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, and as an Open Science Advisor for Clinical Psychological Science. She was selected as a Fulbright Scholar to work with Kristy Martire and others at UNSW Sydney in the Spring of 2022. Her partner and kids also get to go to Australia for the duration of the fellowship! In 2020, she was awarded ASU's Outstanding Mentor Award, and she is a PLuS Alliance Research Fellow, funded through a partnership between ASU, King's College London, and UNSW Sydney to collaborate across borders in pursuit of excellence on "vision and tenacity to impact the world." She was named a 2016 "Rising Star" by the Association for Psychological Science (APS), a designation recognizing outstanding psychological scientists in the earliest stages of their research career post-PhD whose innovative work has already advanced the field and signals great potential for their continued contributions. She received the 2016 Saleem Shah Award for Early Career Excellence in Psychology and Law, co-awarded by the American Psychology-Law Society (Div. 41 of APA) and the American Academy of Forensic Psychology. Her CV is here. |
Postdoctoral Scholars
Bethany Growns
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PhD Law and Psychology Students
Emily Denne
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MS Psychology Students
Jake Plantz
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Undergraduate Research Assistants
Lindsey LeCatesI am a senior at ASU obtaining a BS in forensic psychology.
I plan on continuing my education in psychology and law with a graduate degree. I hope to work in a legal setting in the future, as I have interests in topics such as civil commitment, mental health, and child custody cases. I am very excited to join the CLJ lab, as it will provide excellent research opportunities in various subjects, deepening the understanding of how law and psychology intersect. Elizabeth MathersI am a senior at ASU pursuing concurrent degrees in forensic psychology & biology (pharmacology/ toxicology). I plan to continue my education in the future by obtaining a PhD in clinical psychology and hope to someday work with a forensic population. I'm very excited to be a part of the CLJ lab and to make meaningful contributions to research. Being involved in this lab is a great opportunity to gain firsthand research experience and allows me to continue refining my interests as we explore various topics within the realm of forensic psychology.
Robin MilliganI am currently a junior studying Forensic Psychology at ASU. I plan to pursue a post-graduate degree, and eventually work in the legal field. Joining this lab provides an exciting opportunity to gain practical experience in research, and to learn how psychology operates within the law. [Watch Robin in a great video here!]
Noell ThompsonI am currently a senior at ASU studying for my BS in Forensic Psychology. Upon graduation, I plan to further my education at a PhD Clinical Psychology program. I aspire to work with juvenile offender populations and embark on important research that will influence policy making. I am interested in adjudicative competence of youth, capital mitigation, and the public opinion's impact on amendments within legislation. I am excited to join the and hope to expand my knowledge of the significance of investigating intricate topics through research and analysis.
Alexandria VentressI am a Senior at UNC Chapel Hill studying Psychology and Management and Society. Joining the Clinical and Legal Judgement Lab gives me the opportunity to gain useful research experience while allowing me to explore the many topics within the intersection of psychology and law, and/or forensic psychology. I plan to continue my education by pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in forensic psychology.
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Fall 2020 - we met virtually most weeks due to the pandemic, but met outside twice (masked & socially distanced) - once for a writing group, and once for an end-of-term shindig. From left: Tess Neal, Jake Plantz, Ali McCoy, Alex Ventress, Emily Denne, Kristen McCowan, & Noell Thompson. Not pictured: Beth Growns, Elizabeth Mathers, Robin Milligan, Lindsey LeCates.