Criminal Justice Section member spotlight: Dr. Stan Brodsky

Member Since: 1968
Location: Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Education: BA economics, University of New Hampshire; MA and PhD psychology, University of Florida
Current Position/Affiliation: Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Alabama

Brodsky has been a member of Div. 18 since about 1968 and has served the division in the roles of secretary and president. He has been a professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Alabama since 1972, where he has mentored approximately 50 PhD students. His scholarship has focused broadly on “psychology applied to the legal system, with special emphasis on expert testimony, therapy with reluctant clients, and trial consultation.” He has authored approximately 250 articles and 14 books.

How did your interest in public-service develop?
My first job was as a prison psychologist at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., for three years.

Did you have any mentors? How did he/she impact your professional life?
As an undergraduate student, I babysat for Stan Berger, a psychology professor. He made me a part of the family and shaped my interest in psychology. As a graduate student, I studied with James Dixon. Jim was wonderfully supportive and taught me how to be disciplined in my writing.

What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of your career path and how have you handled/coped with that challenge?
The most challenging aspects are the times when I reach beyond my areas of existing knowledge and practice and teach, research, and practice in a newsubject matter. This has happened with trial consultation, therapy with offenders and, most recently, on the topic of improving quality of marriages.

What advice do you have for those seeking a similar career path?
Find pathways that naturally fit your own style and values.

On what topic(s) have you been focused lately?
My fall sabbatical leave with the law & psychiatry programs at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston. I will be working with Tom Gutheil on a new edition of my book "The Expert Expert Witness" and with Rachel Harris on our book, "How to Improve (and maybe totally fix) Your Marriage in One Week."

What do you find most satisfying about your career?
The close working relationships and friendships with my PhD students and some of my psychotherapy practicum supervisees. These working relationships sometimes turn into lifelong friendships.

What are some of your interests outside of psychology/academia?
I am an avid photographer and have taken two photography courses this year. I take pleasure in traveling, last month to Provence and this past August to Argentina. I enjoy reading, and am reading now about the Second Punic War and also Ian McEwan's book, “Sweet Tooth." I am a movie buff and enjoy films like "Midnight in Paris" as well as all Marvel Universe films.