Clare Mehta

Clare Mehta is a Professor of Psychology at Emmanuel College. She holds a PhD in Psychology (Life Span Concentration) from West Virginia University (2008), an MS in Psychology (Life Span Concentration) from West Virginia University (2006), and an MRes in Education from the University of Bath, UK (2006). Her teaching portfolio includes undergraduate courses such as Adulthood and Aging (PSYCH 2304), Adolescent Development (PSYCH 2403), and Child Development (PSYCH 2303).

As a social developmental psychologist, Dr. Mehta's research centers on gender and social development across the lifespan. Her work investigates the contextual specificity of gender—how femininity and masculinity vary across time and social environments—guided by lifespan and social-constructivist theoretical frameworks. Key research themes include:

• Gender segregation and its impact on gender-typed traits
• Influences of sex/gender on romantic/sexual relationships
• Women's career trajectories
• Adolescent and young adult development

She employs mixed-method approaches (qualitative and quantitative) in her investigations.

Her recent publications (2011–2017) predominantly explore gender identity dynamics, romantic relationships in emerging adulthood, media representations of gender, and methodological innovations in sexuality research. Trends indicate strong focus on contextual variability of gender expression and developmental applications.