Emma Simpson

Developmental

Ph.D. the University of California, Irvine

M.A. Social Ecology, University of California, Irvine

B.A. Psychology and Political Science from Emory University

Emma Simpson recently earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of California, Irvine and is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Psychology. Her research primarily examines children’s and adolescents’ memory and disclosure of negative experiences in legal contexts, including how stress and adversity (e.g., maltreatment) influence memory processes and reporting, as well as the development of evidence-based interviewing practices that improve the quality of youth reporting. Her work has examined how forensic interviewing techniques influence children’s and adolescents’ reporting of sensitive experiences and how these factors shape adults’ perceptions of children and legal decision-making. More broadly, her research seeks to bridge developmental science and psychology and law to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and adolescents.

Advisor: Dr. Kristin Valentino