Meet Division 51 Member: Karley Richard
Meet Graduate Student Member Karley Richard
When did you join Division 51? What made you interested in joining?
I joined Division 51 before my senior year in undergrad at PSU (2018). I started on Dr. Sonia Molloy’s research team and would help code transcripts from her fathering research. I would talk with her about my clinical and research interests which intersected with the mission of Division 51. After meeting a few more members through my work with Dr. Molloy, I was eager to connect with and learn from other division members. The professional connections, mentors, and friendships I have made through D51 have truly contributed to my personal and professional development.
What do you find most valuable about being a member of the division?
The relationships I have developed in this division have been so valuable to me. Through the mentorship program, I was matched with Dr. Will Elder. His mentorship has been instrumental in developing my clinical conceptualization. We have spent countless hours discussing masculine identities and gender roles/norms. I believe this relationship has benefitted my clinical practice, particularly in rural Appalachia where many of my clients are exploring issues and questions related to their masculine identity. I have also had the privilege of chairing the student Academic Outreach Committee which has focused on developing a database of resources relevant to the psychological study of men and masculinities. While I have learned a lot through the collection of resources, I have valued building relationships with other students in the division.
What are your clinical, teaching, research, or other applied interests relating to the psychology of men and masculinity?
I am clinically interested in working with military members and veterans. I am interested in considering how gender norms and values impact my client’s presenting problems and concerns. It has been awesome watching my clients deconstruct their rigid perceptions of identity in favor of adopting a more flexible interpretation of their own masculine/feminine identity.
As the military is a male-dominated institution, I am interested in considering how traditional masculine ideologies impact the health and wellbeing of active-duty military members and veterans. I am also interested in how gendered expectations impact women and gender-diverse identities in these communities. In a study with Dr. Sonia Molloy, we conducted a qualitative analysis examining emerging adult military men and their perceptions of masculinity, femininity, minority military members, and military culture. This research experience has fueled my interest in qualitatively examining the experiences and perceptions of marginalized groups in male-dominated settings. My ultimate goal would be to contribute to the development of intervention and policy promoting the safe inclusion of marginalized groups in military settings
