Education
PhD (specializing in Media Psychology), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Subjects
Media Psychology, Trauma and Media, Culture and Representation, Mental Health Discourse, Digital Studies
Achievements
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship for work on traumatic media effects among marginalized communities; BA in Psychology, Classical Civilization, and Religious Studies (triple major), summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, with Honors with Distinction, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; over USD 30,000 in research grants; Outstanding Research Mentor Award from the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program at the University of Michigan; all three of her undergraduate students won Blue Ribbon awards for best poster
About
Kristen is a PhD candidate and NSF-GRFP fellow at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, specializing in media psychology. Her work investigates the intersectional relationship between trauma, media, and culture, exploring identity, representation, and mental health discourse in film and television series. She has worked as a writing specialist for TRiO scholars nationally and has extended her mentorship into supporting students across disciplines.
Discipline
Psychology & Social Sciences
Academic Achievements
Graduated Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Classic Civilization, and Religious Studies (triple major) Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Honors with Distinction at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Awarded the NSF-GRFP for her work in media psychology, particularly investigating traumatic media effects amongst marginalized communities. Received over $30,000+ in research grants to conduct unique media psychology and digital studies research. Received the Outstanding Research Mentor Award from the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and had all three of her undergraduate students win Blue Ribbon awards for best poster.
Teaching & Mentoring Experience
Leer has worked as a writing specialist for TRiO scholars nationally. Starting as a staff writing specialist for the TRiO McNair office at UW-Stout, Leer has extended her mentorship roles into assisting undergraduate, early career researchers construct professional research (e.g., posters, academic papers, and presentations).
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