Susan Clayton

Susan Clayton is the Whitmore-Williams Professor and Chair of Psychology at the College of Wooster, also serving as a liaison to the Environmental Communication & Action Pathway. Her work bridges conservation psychology with justice studies, focusing on climate change's psychological impacts and strategies for fostering environmental stewardship.

Clayton holds B.A. from Carleton College and M.S./Ph.D. from Yale University. Her research emphasizes human-nature relationships, including climate anxiety, environmental identity, and the role of zoos in public education. She has contributed to landmark IPCC reports and authored influential books such as Psychology and Climate Change and Conservation Psychology.

Her recent studies investigate climate distress in youth, mental health implications of environmental degradation, and the intersection of climate justice with policy. She teaches courses on environmental psychology, social justice, and sustainability, reflecting her commitment to interdisciplinary education.

• Awards: Lead IPCC author, APA Fellow, and editorial leadership roles
• Grants/Advising: Extensive funding supporting climate psychology research; mentors students on environmental justice projects
• Labs/Teams: Collaborates with international networks on climate mental health and conservation initiatives