Best Bus might be … Worst Bus? A thrill ride of posts below:

2025 book: Forensic Mental Health Practice and the Law: A Primer for Clinicians, Researchers, and Consultants academic.oup.com/book/60547?l...

New @netflix.com doc The Carman Family Deaths shows how police view suspects with autism. But how do jurors consider autism diagnoses for juvenile defendants accused of violent or nonviolent crime? Check out new research from @apajournals.bsky.social here: psycnet.apa.org/record/2026-...

Me at any professional conference:

If you have already or will successfully defend a legal psychology dissertation in 2025, apply for the @ap-ls.org Dissertation Award by December 31! Winners will be invited to present their research at the AP-LS Annual Conference in March 2026! More info here: ap-ls.org/awards/awards/dissertation

Looking for a job? It's a tough job market for scientists (either seeking their first job or a new job), so how can they apply their research, leadership, and problem-solving skills to be successful? Some tips here: www.apa.org/monitor/2025...

If you’re going to the American Psychological Association Convention next week, let me know! The APA President gave me two minutes during the presidential opening session to discuss the #LegalPsych perspective. Small time period, but large audience. I hope to spark some conversations!

It’s #legalpsych because of the likely child bystander emotional damage!

Witnesses have a harder time identifying armed vs unarmed people because they focus their attention on the weapon, right? Maybe not. New #legalpsych research questions longstanding research on the weapon focus effect. See: psycnet.apa.org/record/2026-... @apajournals.bsky.social

This morning, in a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with a capital defendant seeking DNA evidence. Might be of interest to my #LegalPsych #Forensic #Law friends. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

Our lab’s first study is published in @pppl-journal.bsky.social! We review definitions used in psych & law to describe those wrongly involved in the legal system. doi.org/10.1037/law0000468 @gblancovelasco.com @carinacardoso.bsky.social @karlihamilton.bsky.social @kimberleyclow.bsky.social

WE ARE HIRING! If you're a graduate student interested in social science and law, apply by July 6 to be a PAID Federal Judicial Center student research assistant for Fall 2025. The position is currently remote-eligible (U.S. only). Questions? See: www.usajobs.gov/job/837642100

Am I the best artist? Nope. But art is a good stress relief and I wanted something for my office. Called “Predator” bc it’s a shark but also bc it’s painted on whitewashed pages from a law review article I wrote on the ethics of sexually violent predator laws. I’m definitely a #LegalPsych nerd.

If interested in the intersection btwn #psychology & #law, there are starter packs with people working in the area. This pack has grown over time, so if you saw it last year it's fuller now (e.g., now has Am Psych-Law Soc'y bsky.app/profile/ap-l...! (lmk if you want to be added!) go.bsky.app/KS4zG4s

NSF just released a public list of terminated awards. It’s linked on the bottom of the FAQ page at: nsf.gov/updates-on-priorities#termination-list

Same. And people remain floored that I still don’t drink coffee.

Legal psychology is an exciting field that addresses many hot topics. Thank you to APA for inviting me to write a short article encouraging high school teachers to teach legal psych! Less than a month from idea to publication. Check it out here: www.apa.org/ed/precolleg...

I’m committed to learning R this year and the only way to do it is through public accountability. This week: Updated RStudio (from 2023 when I last started this), downloaded packages, reviewed @emilynordmann.bsky.social’s recent APA talk and prep materials. Let this be the year!

This is the most tragically American thing I’ve ever read www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/u...

Rest in Peace, retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Souter www.reuters.com/world/us/for...

Most Americans frequently use federal science information. But few are concerned that cuts to federal science spending could affect their access to such information, a new poll finds.

Thanks to those of you who shared your time and insight. The short article will be out soon!

How have forensic psychologists' statistical reporting practices changed since 2000? Answer from Eastwood, @kirkluther.bsky.social, and colleagues: Slowly. Check out their new @lhb-apls.bsky.social @apajournals.bsky.social research here: psycnet.apa.org/record/2026-...

Do judges view psychiatrists and psychologists differently when they offer testimony on an individual’s competency to stand trial? Check out NEW RESEARCH here for the answer: psycnet.apa.org/record/2026-... @apajournals.bsky.social @pppl-journal.bsky.social

Forensic psychologists conducting competence to stand trial evaluations may be at high risk of professional burnout due to the ongoing increase in demand for competence evaluations. NEW research from @apajournals.bsky.social here: psycnet.apa.org/record/2026-...

Any friends here teach high school #psychology? APA asked me to write a short article for high school teachers about legal psychology. What are students interested in learning more about: Confessions? Eyewitness testimony? Juries? Expert testimony? Judicial decision-making? Let me know!

Did you know 97% of defendants convicted in the US waive their rights and plead guilty, with only 3% convicted by trial? This is why it’s important to examine the use of guilty pleas. Luckily, a phenomenal group of researchers did just that. See below: psycinfo.apa.org/record/2026-...

I’m not an alarmist but last week I requested deletion of all of my 23andme genetic data and encourage you to do the same. Read more at the below.

What is the state of open science in the field of psychology and law? Data from Fessinger, McAuliff, and @anthonyperillo.bsky.social at the link below. It’s open access (free to read) from @lhb-apls.bsky.social @apajournals.bsky.social. psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202...

Celebrating sports history with a friend and a beer. #895

People often ask me why I serve on national psychology boards/committees if I’m not an academic. Well, professional service isn’t just for academics and it’s a great opportunity to become friends with excellent people like @gcnhall.bsky.social !

The American Psychological Association seeks new members for its Board of Directors. If you're a psychologist who thinks the APA doesn't represent you well, that's a good reason to apply and make APA more inclusive. Apply by May 2. www.apa.org/about/govern...

“Sam Sommers, psychology department chair and professor, highly regarded as a teacher, researcher, and colleague, died on March 16. He was 49.” Just cited his work yesterday. Rest in Peace. now.tufts.edu/2025/03/20/r...

Applications to law school are up 20% so it’s going to be very competitive this year. Before applying, consider why you want a law degree and how you will pay off any student loans (don’t expect a Big Law salary!). Not saying don’t do it. Just have a plan if you do! www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...

Sad to miss the @ap-ls.org conference this year, but hoping to re-join you all in Reno, NV next year!

Spent today in DC discussing how APA can better support applied psychologists. Applied psychologists apply their knowledge to law, workplaces, sports, human factors, AI, and many more areas. To my applied psychologist friends: how can APA support your work? How do you define applied psych?

I love college basketball in March. Historic Big Ten matchups like USC v Rutgers and ACC matchups like Stanford v Cal. So much history and tradition!

The @ap-ls.org conference is starting, #lawpsych #legal #psych friends! A few years ago, I made a thread on attending your first conference. I hope it's still helpful, @aplssc.bsky.social! Wish I could be with you in Puerto Rico, but conferences are just too dang expensive! 1/8

JOB OPENING: Interested in education programs for U.S. probation and pretrial services officers? The Federal Judicial Center is hiring! Salary starting at ~$150k. Based in DC with some travel required, but remote/telework possible. Apply by March 18 at: www.usajobs.gov/job/832377900

It looks like Photoshop but I swear I sometimes go to concerts on a weeknight and stand in the front row! I’m still cool! Right?!?!

Needed a laugh and the Shucked musical provided. Lots of corny dad jokes. Definitely recommend the show for some light, fun entertainment.

Applications due Monday to come work with me in DC this summer as a law student research assistant! (Remote option possible pending approval.)

How do I know I’m a stats nerd? I got excited when @afhayes.bsky.social followed me. The PROCESS macro person knows me?!?

Students: Statistics, research, and data analysis skills are more important than ever to obtain jobs. Bonus: The ICPSR summer program offers ~$150,000 in scholarships for registration and housing: www.icpsr.umich.edu/web/pages/su... I wish I had done this while in school! @aplssc.bsky.social

New #LawPsych research from @jesssalerno.bsky.social and coauthors: 911 callers who didn't exhibit the expected emotional demeanor were more likely to be treated as possible suspects. Big implications for altruistic, innocent witnesses reporting crime. See: psycnet.apa.org/record/2025-...

SUMMER LAW STUDENT JOB Hiring a summer law student research assistant at the Federal Judicial Center. Possible remote option or work in DC. Pay: $19-$22/hr for 30-39 hrs/week. Ask me any questions and share this position with law students you know! Apply by March 3! www.usajobs.gov/job/796633500

Most-watched U.S. broadcasts in 2024 aka "Football et al.". Another great data visualization from @levakabas.bsky.social.

Applied Research Job Posting: Research Specialist at the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center. Bachelor's degree + 1-2 years of research experience required. employment.unl.edu/postings/95542

Hiring tip #2: In your email, state and show interest in the position you're applying for and very, very briefly state why you are qualified. Don't put anything in the email that's not in the attached documents, as emails are sometimes not forwarded with the application materials. 1/2

Hiring tip: When applying for a job and the hiring manager’s name is provided in the job ad, spell it correctly in your email and cover letter. You’d be surprised how often it’s not. #themoreyouknow