Dr. Katherine Van Allen

Biography

Katherine Van Allen is an Associate Professor of Psychology, Chair of Psychology, Acting Chair of Social Work, and Assistant Dean of the School of Education & Human Sciences at Campbell University. She earned her bachelor’s degree from George Mason University and her master’s degree and PhD in social psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Her current interests center on teaching and learning, particularly the development of critical and creative thinking. She is interested in how people learn to evaluate information, question assumptions, consider different perspectives, and approach problems in new ways. Her background in social, cognitive, and health psychology informs her broader interests in creativity, decision-making, group differences, and the ways our social experiences and perspectives influence how we think and interact with others.

Teaching is an important part of Van Allen’s work at Campbell. She enjoys working with students in the classroom and developing courses that encourage curiosity, discussion, and deeper thinking. She also enjoys developing and teaching online courses, particularly the challenge of creating meaningful learning experiences in a different instructional environment. Across her teaching and academic leadership, she is interested in helping students become more thoughtful, engaged, and independent thinkers.