Assistant Professor Haley Dawson, at right, is pictured with students in the new Legal, Experimental and Applied Psychology (LEAP) Lab at Tennessee Tech
Tennessee Tech University assistant professor of psychology Haley Dawson is helping students gain hands-on experience and prepare for impactful careers through her new research facility, the Legal, Experimental and Applied Psychology (LEAP) Lab.
“My lab focuses on the intersection of psychology and the justice system,” said Dawson.
Dawson emphasizes student autonomy throughout the research process, noting that the LEAP Lab provides an ideal environment for students to take ownership of their work.
“My lab takes a strong student-centered approach,” she explained. “While I bring the foundational concepts, the lab functions as a team where we brainstorm methodology, conduct literature reviews and weigh the pros and cons of research decisions.”
The collaborative setting allows students to engage in all aspects of the research process, from submitting Institutional Review Board applications and designing surveys to recruiting and running participants.
“Students gain hands-on experience with what it’s actually like to conduct research,” said Dawson. “They are also learning to analyze data and prepare presentations for academic conferences.”
Michael R. Hoane, professor and chair of Tech’s Department of Counseling and Psychology, sees the LEAP Lab as a valuable addition to the university’s expanding portfolio of experiential learning opportunities.
“We have updated our undergraduate psychology curriculum to provide students with more opportunities for high-impact experiences like this one,” said Hoane. “Dr. Dawson’s LEAP Lab is a prime example of the new opportunities benefiting our students.”
For Dawson, the lab is about more than earning a degree. It is about helping students understand how their education can translate into meaningful career opportunities.
“Many students don’t realize the potential of a psychology degree outside of clinical therapy,” said Dawson. “I hope my lab exposes them to new ideas and career paths they haven’t considered before.”
She points to the success of recent graduates as evidence of the lab’s impact.
“One of our students who graduated this spring developed a project proposal in my Senior Lab Experience course focused on perceptions of people with intellectual disabilities within the justice system,” said Dawson. “He recently reached out to let me know he is now working for a law firm that specializes in supporting clients with disabilities. They were incredibly impressed by his work in our lab.”
To learn more about Tech’s Department of Counseling and Psychology visit https://www.tntech.edu/education/cp/index.php.
(article written by Andrew Buckner)
