Faces of Research - Meet Courtney Crooks

Meet Courtney Crooks, Principal Research Scientist at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI)

What is your field of expertise and why did you choose it? 

Although I have many interests within the field of psychology as evidenced through the various specialties that I have pursued throughout my professional career, my identity as a psychologist is longstanding and began to develop immediately upon entering college at the undergraduate level. The experiences I have had through graduate school, the military, Georgia Tech, and Emory University, have allowed me to compile a diverse range of professional skills. The integration of these skillsets enables me to bring a unique perspective to both national security and clinical research. I enjoy teaching psychology at the university level because it gives me a chance to help students explore how the field of psychology contributes in significant ways to our daily lives, regardless of academic program or career choice. 

What makes Georgia Tech research unique?       

GTRI is unique because of its emphasis on national security applied research and development and longstanding relationships in the defense industry, combined with attention to building collaborative academic research relationships across Georgia Tech.

What impact is your research having on the world?  

My current research applies psychoanalytic and large group psychological theory to understand how cultural trauma, coercive control, and strategic narrative impact relational dynamics, beliefs, and behaviors in socio-cultural systems. Specifically, this research seeks to investigate the implications of these phenomena for national security, policy, and psychological practice.  

What do you like to do in your spare time when you are not working on your research or teaching? 

In my spare time, I enjoy reading psychological/historical thrillers, watching movies, writing manuscripts, doing fitness activities, supporting the arts, and eating international cuisine.