Dr. Johnson is a Clinical Psychologist who specializes in International and Multicultural Psychology with a focus on Cultural Competencies in Clinical Practice.
Research Interests
- International Psychology
- Positive Youth Development (community participation, peace, community and nature connections, culture)
- Community conservation (East Africa)
- Mixed Methods (including action research and photovoice)
- Multicultural and Cross-Culture Psychology (help-seeking, explanatory models, cultural competencies)
Biography
Dr. Johnson is a professor of psychology at the University of Mississippi. She conducts and supervises research; trains students in the Clinical Ph.D. program, and teaches multicultural, environmental and clinical psychology, an interdisciplinary course on ecology and youth in Tanzania, and intercultural communication for the Croft Institute for International Studies. Laura’s research is transnational – it spans cultural, conservation and peace psychology with a focus on positive youth development, community participation, and intercultural relations in a changing global environment.
Dr. Johnson has received two US Fulbright grants for research in East Africa (youth developmental assets and action for the environment and peace, integration of primary and traditional care for depression), and two National Geographic Conservation Trust grants (scientist mentoring youth to conduct biodiversity assessments in Uganda and Photovoice for Forest Conservation on Mt Kilimanjaro) and an IIE grant to provide intercultural training. Since 2000, Dr. Johnson has been a research partner with Jane Goodall’s global environmental program, Roots & Shoots and Wildlife Clubs of Uganda, and Uganda Youth Development Link (UYDEL). She is an alumni of American Psychological Association’s Committee on International Relations in Psychology (CIRP) (2008-2010) and is currently serving as chair of the long-range strategic planning committee of APA‘s international division (#52) and has served on editorial boards of journals including Intercultural Relations and Ecopsychology. Likewise, she has been a reviewer in International Perspectives in Psychology: Research, Consultation, and Practice. Dr. Johnson has written several book chapters on multicultural and international psychology, and ethnopolitical conflict and multiple journal articles. Dr. Johnson co-founded and supervises the Cultural Connections project for international students and the Lambda support group for GLBT students. She has been an international student in Kenya (87-88) and a Peace Corps volunteer in maternal child health in Papua New Guinea (93-95) and a nutrition and health program officer for the Mississippi Forum on Children and Families (94-95). Laura received her Ph.D. from the University of Louisville (2003) and completed her internship at the Refugee Health Program of Colorado. She is on the Board of Hope Revival Orphan and Vulnerable Children NGO in Mara, Tanzania and the Rafiki Development Fund, Musoma, Tanzania and Bush2Base.
Courses Taught
- PSY 340 Multicultural Psychology
- PSY 460 Psychology of Human Sexuality
Education
B.A. Psychology, The University of Mississippi (1998)
M.A. Clinical Psychology, University of Louisville (2003)
Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, University of Louisville (2003)