ASU students shined at American Psychology-Law Society Conference

New College representing ASU at the American Psychology-Law Society Conference. Pictured (left to right): Justin Richardson, Kelsey Tom, Allison Cross, Trevor Morris, Royce Hill, and Adam Fine

By Mariana Lozovanu |
April 08, 2025

Last month, students from the School of Interdisciplinary Forensics at Arizona State University’s West Valley campus showcased their groundbreaking research at the American Psychology-Law Society (AP-LS) Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Representing a diverse group of PhD, MS, and undergraduate students, these scholars presented their work on a range of pressing issues at the intersection of psychology and law.

The AP-LS Conference serves as a premier gathering for experts and emerging scholars in forensic psychology, bringing together professionals from academia, law enforcement, and the legal field. This year, ASU students contributed valuable insights on topics such as jury decision-making, forensic interviewing, interrogation techniques, police procedural justice, system-involved youth, and racial bias in the legal system.

ASU students delivered compelling presentations on critical topics, including:

Kristen Gittings (PhD, Law and Psychology) – The Influence of Stereotypic Perceptions and Moral Outrage on Trial Outcomes for Lesbian Defendants (Talk)
Trevor Morris (PhD, Law and Psychology) – Framing Fairness: Understanding Perceptions of Police Procedural Justice in Body-Worn Camera Footage (Symposium)
Megan Lawrence (PhD, Law and Psychology) – Testing Implicit Bias Interventions: Mock Jurors’ Verdicts and Trust in the Courts in a Civil Case with a Black Plaintiff (Talk)
Shannon Bell (BA, Forensic Psychology) – Mock Juror Awareness That a Study is About Racial Bias in Civil Trial Contexts (Poster)
Amber Heemskerk (PhD, Law and Psychology) – The Impact of Traditional U.S.-Style Interrogation Methods on Self-Regulatory Depletion and False Confessions (Talk)
Julie Reid (MS, Forensic Psychology) – Liberals’ and Conservatives’ Acknowledgment of Racial Biases in the Legal System (Poster)

Their research was presented in various formats, including symposiums, talks, posters, and data blitz sessions. Five MS Forensic Psychology students were awarded competitive travel grants to attend the 2025 American Psychology-Law Society (AP-LS) Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Desiree Rivas Duran, Sarah Abel, Brooke Hunt, Jayme Schledewitz and Brian Fogel had the opportunity to engage with leading scholars and explore emerging trends in psychology and law. This experience supported their professional development and highlighted the growing impact of our graduate program on the national stage.

“The conference meant to me finally being able to see valuable and innovative research from the front row. What I earned was valuable connections with great people who have the same interests and aspirations as I do. For any all people across both psychology and law, AP-LS can’t be missed.” said Brian Fogel.

Student Royce Hill presenting "Trajectories of Internalizing and Externalizing Problems among System-Involved Male Youth after their First Official Arrest" talk.
Student Trevor Morris presenting "Framing Fairness: Understanding Perceptions of Police Procedural Justice in Body-Worn Camera Footage" symposium.
Student Taylor Lebensfeld presenting "The Effects of Administrator Motivation and Lineup Bias on Eyewitness Decision-Making" paper.
Pictured (left to right): Jodi Quas (Professor at UC Irvine), Colleen Sullivan (PhD Student in Psychology and Law), Sydney Parker (PhD Student in Psychology and Law), Gabi Lay (MS Psychology student), and Michelle Yang (research assistant in Dr. Karey O’hara’s YFaCS lab [Youth and Families in Court Systems])
Faculty Cortney Simmons presenting "Juvenile Justice Under Review".
Student Rose Eerdmans presenting "The Impact of Arizona's Ban on Peremptory Challenges on Jury Racial Representativeness" talk.
Student Allie Cross presenting "From Apologies to Action: Enhancing Public Cooperation with Police through Effective Reconciliation" talk.
Student Royce Hill presenting "Trajectories of Internalizing and Externalizing Problems among System-Involved Male Youth after their First Official Arrest" talk.
Student Trevor Morris presenting "Framing Fairness: Understanding Perceptions of Police Procedural Justice in Body-Worn Camera Footage" symposium.
Student Taylor Lebensfeld presenting "The Effects of Administrator Motivation and Lineup Bias on Eyewitness Decision-Making" paper.
Pictured (left to right): Jodi Quas (Professor at UC Irvine), Colleen Sullivan (PhD Student in Psychology and Law), Sydney Parker (PhD Student in Psychology and Law), Gabi Lay (MS Psychology student), and Michelle Yang (research assistant in Dr. Karey O’hara’s YFaCS lab [Youth and Families in Court Systems])
Faculty Cortney Simmons presenting "Juvenile Justice Under Review".
Student Rose Eerdmans presenting "The Impact of Arizona's Ban on Peremptory Challenges on Jury Racial Representativeness" talk.
Student Allie Cross presenting "From Apologies to Action: Enhancing Public Cooperation with Police through Effective Reconciliation" talk.
Student Royce Hill presenting "Trajectories of Internalizing and Externalizing Problems among System-Involved Male Youth after their First Official Arrest" talk.

The presentations provided fresh perspectives and potential solutions for legal and law enforcement challenges. Their participation underscored the growing prominence of ASU’s graduate programs in psychology and law.

Throughout the conference, ASU students shared their work in symposiums, talks, posters, and data blitz sessions. The energy at the event was palpable as attendees engaged in discussions about pressing issues faced by psychological and legal communities.

Beyond their presentations, ASU students engaged in discussions with leading scholars, networked with professionals, and explored new avenues for future research collaborations. Faculty members emphasized the significance of these experiences in preparing students for impactful careers in psychology, law, and academia.

"We are incredibly proud of our students’ dedication to advancing knowledge in psychology and law. Their participation in AP-LS reflects the strength of our program and our commitment to fostering impactful research," said Cortney Simmons, Assistant Professor at the School of Interdisciplinary Forensics.

The presence of ASU students at the AP-LS Conference underscores the university’s role in shaping the future of psychology and law. As these scholars continue to push the boundaries of research, their work will contribute to more just and effective legal systems.

ASU remains committed to fostering research that informs legal policy and practice. With plans to expand research initiatives and funding opportunities, ASU continues to shape the future of forensic psychology.

The list of ASU presenters and their research topics:

Shannon Bell (Student, Forensic Psychology BA): Mock Juror Awareness That a Study is About Racial Bias in Civil Trial Contexts
Julie Reid (Student, Forensic Psychology MS): Liberals' and Conservatives' Acknowledgment of Racial Biases in the Legal System
Sara Thomas (Student, Psychology MS): A thematic analysis of behaviors that make officers suspicious of interviewees
Samantha Bean (Student, Law and Psychology PhD): Punishing Goliath: Biased mock juror decision-making against wealthy defendants and corporations
Allie Cross (Student, Law and Psychology PhD): From Apologies to Action: Enhancing Public Cooperation with Police through Effective Reconciliation
Rose Eerdmans (Student, Law and Psychology PhD): The Impact of Arizona's Ban on Peremptory Challenges on Jury Racial Representativeness
Kristen Gittings (Student, Law and Psychology PhD): The Influence of Stereotypic Perceptions and Moral Outrage on Trial Outcomes for Lesbian Defendants
Deniz Hacibektasoglu (Student, Law and Psychology PhD) : Joint effects of confessions and prosecution narratives on legal decisions
Amber Heemskerk (Student, Law and Psychology PhD): The Impact of Traditional U.S.-Style Interrogation Methods on Self-Regulatory Depletion and False Confessions
Royce Hill (Student, Law and Psychology PhD): Trajectories of Internalizing and Externalizing Problems among System-Involved Male Youth after their First Official Arrest
Megan Lawrence (Student, Law and Psychology PhD): Testing implicit bias interventions: Mock jurors’ verdicts and trust in the courts in a civil case with a Black plaintiff
Taylor Lebensfeld (Student, Law and Psychology PhD): The Effects of Administrator Motivation and Lineup Bias on Eyewitness Decision-Making
Trevor Morris (Student, Law and Psychology PhD): Framing Fairness: Understanding Perceptions of Police Procedural Justice in Body-Worn Camera Footage
Sydney Parker (Student, Law and Psychology PhD): Encouraging Change Without Shame: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Redesigning Parent Education for High Conflict Separation/Divorce Using Human-Centered Design Principles
Justin Richardson (Student, Law and Psychology PhD): Empower Youth with AI: How Artificial Intelligence Can Help Shape Positive Feedback
Lea Sobrilsky (Student, Law and Psychology PhD): Examining the Professional Relationships with Prosecutors, Case Processes, and Challenges Faced by Child Forensic Interviewers: Insights from a Nationwide Survey
Colleen Sullivan (Graduate, Law and Psychology PhD): Criminal Trial Attorney Questions about Parent Conflict when Children Testify against a Parent in Child Sexual Abuse Cases
Colleen Sullivan (Graduate, Law and Psychology PhD): Implementation Determinants of a Digital Program for Children Coping with High Conflict Separation/Divorce
Cortney Simmons (Assistant Professor, SIF): Juvenile Justice Under Review
Max Guyll, PhD (Associate Professor, SIF): Implementing a Novel Design for Testing the Forensic Principle of Uniqueness

West Valley campus New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences