What We Do
Research in the Interpersonal Violence Research Laboratory (IVRL) uses community-based participatory action research to answer two questions: (1) How do we prevent sexual and related forms of violence? and (2) How do we most effectively support survivors in the aftermath of violent victimization? Much of our work focuses on minoritized populations, specifically Native American/Indigenous youth and families as well as LGBTQ+ youth.
In the IVRL, we highly value community leadership in developing and evaluating (including the use of decolonized research approaches) strengths-focused, culturally grounded initiatives to prevent and respond to sexual and related forms of violence.
The work in the IVRL is currently funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Health, National Institute of Justice, National Science Foundation and Office on Violence Against Women.
Our mission is to conduct community-led research that helps reduce — if not eliminate — sexual and related forms of violence from communities, and to promote recovery among survivors of interpersonal violence victimization.
Our Team
Dr. Katie M. Edwards directs the IVRL. Dr. Edwards is a professor of educational psychology. Over the past 10 years, Dr. Edwards has published over 200 peer-reviewed journal articles and accumulated over $23 million in research funding to support the work of the IVRL.
Members of the IVRL also include postdoctoral scholars, graduate and undergraduate students, and community-based staff across the U.S.
Meet the Team
Student Opportunities
Are you interested in prevention of and response to sexual and related forms of violence? There are many opportunities for students and community members to be involved in the IVRL.
Our team trains graduate and undergraduate students, as well as community members, in methodologically rigorous, participatory action research approaches to preventing and responding to sexual and related forms of violence. Trainees are provided with experience to develop knowledge and skills to translate basic research into meaningful intervention, prevention and policy efforts. Trainees are given the opportunity to be involved in all phases of the research, including study conceptualization and design, data collection and analysis, and dissemination of research findings.
If you are interested in joining the IVRL, complete the application (below) and send it, along with a resume/CV and cover letter, to our lab manager, Tressa Copple.
Download Application