Sarah Gervais
Professor / Lab Director
My name is Dr. Sarah Gervais (she/her/hers) and I am a Professor of Psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. My research focuses on the intersections between gender, social psychology, the law, and public health and is funded by the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation. I direct the Objectification of Women Lab (OWLab) and train both PhD graduate students and undergraduates in social psychology. I have been the recipient of the Georgia Babladelis Best Paper Award from the Society for the Psychology of Women as well as the Gordon Allport Intergroup Relations Prize from the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues. I teach courses in social psychology, psychology of gender, intergroup relations, social cognition, and applied social psychology. I currently serve as Associate Chair in the Psychology Department and am past Associate Editor of Psychology of Women Quarterly, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, and British Journal of Social Psychology. I regularly present research to scholarly audiences and the public (e.g., my work has been covered in several media outlets such as the New York Times, Glamour, Psychology Today, Lincoln Journal Star). I also provide expert testimony for relevant court cases related to gender discrimination and sexual harassment and assault. On this site, you can learn more about my research and teaching, the OWLab, and the latest news from my lab, department, and field. Take a look around, and learn more about my work and me.
Email me: sgervais2@unl.edu
Sarah Eagan
Grad Student
Sarah Eagan (she/her/her)received her B.A. in Psychology from Sonoma State University and her M.A. in Cognitive and Social Psychology from Ball State University. Sarah is a doctoral candidate in the Social and Cognitive Psychology program, with a specialization in Women’s and Gender Studies here at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Sarah’s research interests focus on issues related to sexual violence, the contagious nature of sexual violence, negative influences of hegemonic masculinity, bystander intervention behaviors in sexual risk situations. Sarah is an avid runner who completed her first marathon in January 2020! She has two adorable cats (Benson and Ellie) whose names are inspired by characters from SVU. She also has an adorable dog, Jack, who is her running buddy!
Email me: sarah.eagan@huskers.unl.edu
Evan McCracken
Grad Student
Evan McCracken (he/him/his) is a 6th year student in the MLS/PhD Law-Psychology and Social Cognitive Program. His research primarily examines how children are sexualized and dehumanized by others and how domestic laws and international human rights doctrines aid and inhibit the rights of children. He loves to travel (especially to haunted places), sabotaging others in board games, and hanging out with his partner and friends. You will never see him without his Mountain Dew and will rarely hear him not talking about pizza.
Email me: evan.mccracken@huskers.unl.edu
Amanda Baildon
Grad Student
Amanda Baildon (she/her/hers) is a third-year graduate student in the Social Psychology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She graduated with honors from Lafayette College in 2019 with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Economics. Her research interests lie in women’s health and safety in gendered environments. She is particularly interested in alcohol’s role in sexual objectification and sexual violence, bystander intervention in alcohol and sexual risk situations, and the role of social norms in sexual health and safety. If she wasn’t a psychologist, she would live a simple life in the mountains serving tea and coffee to hikers. Amanda also loves picking up crafty hobbies, volunteering with the community theatre, spending time with her cat Cedar, and enjoying the full human experience.
Email me: abaildon2@huskers.unl.edu
Olivia Checkalski
Grad Student
Olivia Checkalski (she/her/hers) is a graduate student in the Social Psychology program. In May 2020 she graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a B.A. in Psychology and American Culture & Difference, and a minor in Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies. As a new(ish) member of the Objectification of Women Lab, she is thrilled to work in a lab with other explicitly feminist researchers where she can pursue her interdisciplinary interests in social psychology, WGS, and cultural studies. In all her research, Olivia tries to focus on topics and identities typically excluded from academia. Her current research interests include questions about self-objectification and self-sexualization, especially as a means of adding nuance to cultural narratives about empowerment. When she isn’t on zoom calls Olivia is likely crafting, watching reality TV that doesn’t align with her values, or ranting about compulsory heterosexuality.
Email me: ocheckalski2@huskers.unl.edu
Rachelle Johnson
Lab Manager
Rachelle Johnson (she/her/hers) is a senior undergraduate student in the honors program. She is majoring in Psychology with minors in Humanities of Medicine and Child, Youth, and Family Studies. She has aspirations of later getting her P.h.D and working as a research professor. Rachelle is interested in researching learning disabilities and how to help students with leaning disabilities achieve high motivation and academic achievement. When Rachelle is not in the lab or studying, she enjoys getting outside, hiking, and exploring new places.
Email me: rachelle.johnson@huskers.unl.edu
Previous Grad Students and Post-Docs
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