Blending Psychology and Advocacy: One Student's Journey from UofL Undergraduate Research to School Psychology at the Graduate Level

By Stephanie Godward, Communications and Marketing Director, College of Arts & Sciences 

Brianna Walker’s undergraduate research in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences focused on intersectionality and how children perceive adults of different ages, races, and genders in terms of their ability to use and fix technological devices. 

“In my study, even though it's still ongoing, we found that children prioritize adults’ ages over their gender when judging their knowledge about technology,” Walker said. “And so overall, we're trying to do this research to see if that has any impact on how children perceive themselves.” 

A May 2025 graduate with a B.S. in Psychology, Walker’s many experiential learning opportunities and undergraduate research at UofL has prepared her well as she heads to the University of Kentucky this fall to pursue a master’s degree in School Psychology. 

Walker also graduated with minors in Public Health and Social Work. A graduate of both the Honors Program and the Scholar program, she was also recognized as a Woodford R. Porter Scholar. During her time at UofL, Brianna was deeply engaged in academic and leadership activities, presenting her research at the ACC Meeting of the Minds and the 2025 Posters at the Capitol.  

"It was a good experience to go to the Posters at the Capitol event to see all the different public Kentucky institutions and what they're doing in their research, which was really fun,” Walker said. “Also, at the ACC Meeting of the Minds, that's where all the ACC schools send five participants, and they get to present their research. So, it was also cool to see what other ACC schools are doing around the country.” 

She was active in the Black and Brown Honors Society, the Society of Porter Scholars, and served as a First-Year Representative on the Honors Student Council. She also contributed to the Social Development Committee through the Freshmen LEAD program and the Engage Lead Serve Board. 

In addition, she spent three years as an undergraduate working in the Knowledge in Development (KID) Lab, which is run by Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences Department Chair Nick Noles and Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies Judith Danovitch. The lab studies children's social and cognitive development during the preschool and elementary school years. 

"What made me stay for so long was the overall hands-on experience I gained from being in the lab. I got to participate in research design and building some studies, as well as doing data collection, which is both interpreting the data and doing the entry. I also was running participants, which I feel like is a big thing that not a lot of undergrads get to do straight off the bat,” Walker states. 

Walker also had the chance to lead a research project and to lead the recruitment of participants. 

“This was really big not only for my professional development, but my personal development and how it kind of shapes my experience in school psychology was just the hands-on work,” she said. 

Walker is excited to advance her education and career as she blends her personal and professional passions in her research moving forward. 

"What drew me to school psychology was being able to mix my passion for psychology with education. The main passion of mine was always to work with kids, and I always liked working with kids in more of an educational or counseling setting,” Walker said. “So, I knew psychology was one of the big things I wanted to do, but I didn't want to traditionally be an educator or teacher.” 

Looking ahead, Walker is also excited to be involved in a UKS grant program, which will provide mental health services to communities in Eastern Kentucky.  

“It’ll be interesting and fun to go to a new part of Kentucky I’ve never been to before,” she said. “I think my ultimate goal would be having a doctorate in the field and also being able to do a lot of public advocacy work or being in public policy. I want to advocate for school psychology and advocate for kids in the educational system as a whole.”