University Well Represented at Association for Women in Psychology Conference

Well-known author and feminist activist bell hooks (center) is joined at the AWP conference by (left to right) the University of Hartford's Gili Goldfrad, Mala Matacin, Andrea Wojcik, and Natalie Garcia.

The Association for Women in Psychology (AWP) conference was held March 8-11 in Palm Springs, Calif, and the University of Hartford was well represented.

Mala Matacin, associate professor in the Department of Psychology, A&S, chaired a symposium and presented a paper entitled “Body Image, Beauty, and Bonding.” In the same symposium, Gili Goldfrad, a clinical psychology doctoral candidate, also presented a paper entitled “Slutwalks: Why We March.” Rounding out the symposium, two undergraduate students presented papers. Natalie Garcia presented “Redefining Women in Calendars” and Andrea Wojcik presented “Project BeYOUtiful Change.”

Kathy McCloskey, professor in the Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology (GIPP) doctoral program in the Psychology Department, presented a structured discussion entitled “AWP Examines Itself,” along with other members of the AWP Implementing Collective. She also sponsored the “White Women Unlearning Racism” workshop held during the conference.

Anne Pidano, assistant professor within GIPP; Jennifer Whitcomb, a clinical psychology doctoral candidate; and Susan Grantham, associate professor in the School of Communication, A&S, presented a poster entitled, “Leading Forward: A Case Study of Female Graduate Students' Attitudes.”

Katy McEvoy, another clinical psychology doctoral candidate, also presented a poster entitled, “Integrating Gender Specific and Evidence Based Coping and Stress Management Techniques for Female Inmates.”