Clinical Psychology Faculty and Students Receive Dr. Sally Peterson Research Excellence Award

A faculty-and-student-led team is advancing their own field and honoring the legacy of a clinical psychology trailblazer, Fielding alum and longstanding supporter of Fielding.

Fielding Clinical Psychology faculty member Kristine Jacquin, Ph.D., and students Erinn Cameron, Janine Ray, and Fiona Trend-Cunningham are the recipients of the 2023 Dr. Sally Peterson Research Excellence Award for their research published in the journal Trends in Psychology. 

RESEARCH PUBLICATION: Cameron, E.C.; Ray, J.M.; Trend-Cunningham, F.J. et al. Female Incarceration Rates and Violence Against Women Predict Estimated Prevalence of Modern Slavery. Trends in Psychology. (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43076-022-00239-7 

In her nomination letter, Clinical Psychology faculty member Heather Macdonald, Psy.D., wrote: “If newer psychological theories are to be generated regarding the trauma of oppression, they need to include subversive histories that have implications for both political and clinical practice as Spivak (1988), Bulhan (1985), Bhabha (1994), and others have all previously suggested. We need more research that lives at the intersection of community psychology, history, and political psychology. This work clearly addresses these intersections. Africa in general has not been widely represented within international psychological or political discourse and this article includes “theories from the South” which are much needed. The voice of Africa, in general, has been largely absent in the growing international manifestations of community psychology, and this article helps recover some of this lost representation.” 

Associate Provost for Research, Extramural Funding, and Faculty Development Katie McGraw, Ph.D., added: “Congratulations to the authors on their critical contribution to psychology globally and the important perspective it adds to the literature. It is fitting that we can honor them with an award named for Dr. Peterson whose work made so many crucial contributions. Fielding is proud to be able to continue her legacy by honoring the recipients of this award.” 

The Dr. Sally Peterson Research Excellence Award is an annual award to a Fielding Graduate University faculty-student collaboration whose work appeared in a peer-reviewed publication the previous calendar year. The award is possible thanks to the generosity of the James S. Peterson Foundation, the David B. Peterson Foundation, the Holly Peterson Foundation, and the Michael A. Peterson Foundation. 

The award was established in 2021. It honors Clinical Psychology alum Sally Peterson, Ph.D. (’83). Dr. Peterson is among the first Fielding graduates to be licensed as a clinical psychologist in New York. Today, she maintains a private practice in Manhattan with several dedicated clients. Her marriage to Michael V. Carlisle, JD, inspired her dissertation research. Like many Fielding spouses, Dr. Carlisle was a great support in Dr. Peterson’s doctoral journey. Over the years, Dr. Peterson and Dr. Carlisle have been dedicated friends and supporters of Fielding.