Gail S. Goodman

Professor Gail S. Goodman, a Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Davis, is a pioneering scholar in developmental psychology and psychology-law intersections. She directs the Center for Public Policy Research and has established foundational research in children's eyewitness memory and child victims' experiences in legal contexts.

• Ph.D., M.A., B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles

Her research focuses on memory development and children's roles as witnesses, examining trauma-memory relationships, attachment influences, emotional regulation, and forensic interview techniques. Her work has informed legal policies and been cited in U.S. Supreme Court decisions.

Key trends in her recent publications include trauma's impact on memory accuracy, false memory balancing, and courtroom dynamics for child witnesses. Her studies span developmental psychology, forensic science, and trauma recovery.

• 2017 APSAC Handbook chapter on child interview techniques
• 2017 American Psychologist review on trauma memory and counseling
• 2016 chapters on memory development and trauma psychopathology

Professor Goodman has received numerous accolades, including APA's Urie Bronfenbrenner Award, APS's James McKeen Cattell Award, and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Oslo. She has also earned teaching and mentoring awards at UC Davis.

As Director of UC Davis's Center for Public Policy Research, she consults with global agencies on child maltreatment policies and leads interdisciplinary teams studying memory, trauma, and legal systems. Her work bridges academic research with practical applications in law and child welfare.