Ryan Kilmer

I have been at UNC Charlotte since earning my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Rochester in 1999. I define myself as a child clinical-community psychologist, and my primary professional interests focus on children and families. They include two main areas:

(1) the development of children at-risk, in particular the examination of risk and resilience (i.e., effective coping and adaptation in the face of major life stress) and youngsters’ adjustment to trauma; and

(2) the use of evaluative research to guide system change, program refinement, service delivery, and policy.

These interests drive my research, inform and complement my teaching, lead to opportunities for my students, and guide my service roles. Early in my training, I observed my mentors integrate research, service, and mentoring successfully. I resonated with the practical implications of community-based research and the critical need to conduct rigorous evaluations of community programs and initiatives. Indeed, I am drawn to my interest areas because they have “real world” relevance; I strive to make a heuristic contribution to the field and benefit my community.

I am currently serving as Chair of the Department of Psychological Science. My prior on-campus roles reflect my interests in drawing on our expertise here on campus to work with the community to address issues and promote the public good. In particular, I served as the inaugural Senior Fellow for Faculty Engagement for the Office of Urban Research and Community Engagement (now known as urbanCORE) as well as Director of the Social Aspects of Health Initiative for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (our college is now the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences).

Here in Psychological Science, I help lead the Community Psychology Research Lab. In addition to my undergraduate teaching and mentoring, I contribute to the community psychology and clinical psychology programs within our health psychology doctoral program, as well as our concentration in community psychology for our M.A. program in psychology.

The other pages on this site provide additional information about ongoing projects, publications, my teaching, and other professional activities.