Elana Newman

Dr. Elana Newman, Ph.D., is the R.M. McFarlin Professor of Psychology and Chair of the Psychology Department at the University of Tulsa, where she also serves as the Research Director for the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma and Co-director of the Tulsa Institute for Trauma, Adversity and Injustice. A distinguished scholar and educator, Dr. Newman is internationally recognized for her pioneering work on trauma and its psychological impact across diverse populations and professions. Her academic and professional journey has been deeply shaped by her commitment to translating trauma science into practice. A past president of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, she played a key leadership role in establishing trauma competency guidelines for psychologists and continues to contribute to national standard-setting initiatives, such as the APA PTSD Guidelines Update Committee. A major focus of Dr. Newman’s research is the intersection of journalism and trauma. Her groundbreaking work has explored the occupational health of journalists covering traumatic events, examining issues such as psychological resilience, stress, harassment, safety, and ethics. She has led multiple efforts to train journalists in trauma-informed practices, ethical interviewing of survivors, and newsroom self-care. Notably, she co-directed the Dart Center's post-9/11 satellite office in New York City and is a co-founder of the Journalist Trauma Support Network, which provides trauma-focused training to mental health professionals supporting journalists. Dr. Newman’s influence extends beyond media, touching the legal, educational, clinical, and criminal justice fields. She collaborates with attorneys, law students, and researchers to promote trauma-informed practices across systems, and has helped raise the standard of care for trauma-affected youth and adults through her work with mental health agencies and evidence-based grants. Her research also covers a broad array of trauma-related topics, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), disaster mental health, research ethics in trauma studies, refugee mental health, trauma in correctional settings, and the developmental impacts of prenatal substance exposure. In recent years, she has expanded her trauma-informed focus to include museum professionals, folklorists, curators, and anthropologists, aiming to embed trauma awareness in cultural preservation and storytelling. A prolific scholar, Dr. Newman has authored or co-authored more than 100 academic publications and co-edited a foundational text titled Trauma Therapy in Context: The Science and Craft of Evidence-Based Practice. Her academic excellence and service have earned her numerous prestigious awards, including the University of Tulsa Outstanding Research Award, the Frank Ochberg Award for Media and Trauma Study, and the President’s Medal from the National Press Photographers Association. Dr. Newman received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Duke University, where her dissertation examined recovery processes in adult female survivors of sexual abuse. Her deep understanding of trauma, combined with her collaborative, cross-disciplinary approach, has made her one of the leading voices in trauma research, education, and advocacy globally.