Layana Navarre-Jackson

I am from New Orleans, where I attended Xavier University of Louisiana. I received my BS in psychology in 1997. As an undergraduate, I had a particular interest in social psychology, which has remained my main interest area of research. In addition, I volunteered for the Homework Clinic at Xavier, the Girl Scouts at Xavier, the Homework Hotline at the YWCA, and the YWCA Rape Crisis Center in New Orleans.

I entered the master's program in sociology here at the University of Iowa in 2003 and received my MA in sociology in 2005. My interest areas are social psychology and social stratification. My research interests focus on populations that are outside of the average
populations (what I like to call the "saints" and the "sinners"). Specifically, I am interested in studying altruism and prosocial behavior (especially in group interactions), positive deviance (e.g. gifted students), and stigma. Of course--being from New Orleans--I also have an interest in research on social psychology of the paranormal. I am currently working on research that includes the influence of particular social networks on philanthropy; a comparative study of women in the military; and social psychology of the body.

Since I have been at the University of Iowa, I have volunteered with Project Angel Tree and the monthly church-sponsored Salvation Army Dinner. When I'm not working, I enjoy drawing, reading, and spending time with my family.