Catherine Bagwell

Catherine Bagwell is the Virginia Lasater Irvin Professor of Psychology at Davidson College. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from Duke University and a B.S. from the University of Richmond. Her research focuses on the developmental significance of friendship in children and adolescents, exploring questions about how peer relationships influence social and emotional adjustment, whether friends can have both positive and negative impacts, and their role as buffers for vulnerable youth.

• Education:
  • Ph.D., M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Duke University
  • B.S. in Psychology, University of Richmond

Bagwell’s career spans roles as Assistant and Associate Professor at the University of Richmond, MacEldin Trawick Professor of Psychology there, and Professor of Psychology at Colgate University before joining Davidson in 2023. Her work bridges developmental psychology and psychopathology, emphasizing peer relations and prevention strategies for at-risk youth.