Kate Ellis

Kate Ellis serves as an Associate Professor of Psychology at The American University in Cairo (AUC), where she also directs graduate programs and coordinates the leadership in mental health course. As a clinical psychologist, she specializes in trauma-focused care for refugees and conflict-affected populations, integrating clinical practice with academic leadership.

Her research program centers on the psychological impact of violence and political conflict on youth, with extensive publications examining looked-after children, detained juvenile offenders, and community-based trauma interventions. Current initiatives prioritize scalable mental health solutions in low-resource settings, including training Sudanese refugee lay counselors in narrative exposure therapy and developing Arabic-language digital interventions for trauma in Egypt.

Ellis leads community-driven projects that bridge academic research and practical implementation, emphasizing culturally grounded approaches to mental health in conflict zones. Her work demonstrates consistent commitment to translating evidence-based practices into accessible, contextually relevant care models for vulnerable populations across the Middle East and Africa.