Welcome!

The RAad Lab is directed by Dr. Katherine Maurer in the School of Social Work at McGill University. Our research focuses on the biopsychosocial processes or mechanisms by which stressful experiences affect life course outcomes centered on adaptive resilience. We study various adverse life experiences such as interpersonal violence, homelessness, and oppression. We focus on the physiological and psychological impacts of exposure to extreme stressors on the development of affective self-regulation capacities of adolescence and adults. The critical developmental transition to adulthood is a main interest in our research. We employ quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research methodologies to explore questions.

Central to our research agenda is a commitment to transformative social change through challenging systemic oppression in discourse, theory, practice, and policy. We engage in critical analysis of the theories and frameworks, such as resilience and the etiologies of interpersonal aggression and violence, that underpin our research.