Scott Carlson began working at UMD in 2010. An associate professor in the Department of Psychology, he has also served as department head, as well as interim dean and associate dean for the College of Education and Human Service Professions. 

Why did you choose to work at UMD?

I had been a faculty member at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. I chose to work at UMD for two primary reasons. First, I really wanted to focus more on undergraduate teaching and research mentorship and that was, and still is, a strength of the UMD Psychology Dept. Second, I am from Minneapolis and I wanted to get back to Minnesota and be closer to my friends and family.

What do you like most about your job? 

It is hard to choose, as it is a pretty awesome job! I think the thing I like best is working with students on research projects. I like supporting students on figuring out how to develop a research question and then seeing it through to developing a methodology, carrying it out and trying to publish the results for others to benefit from our findings. 

What is your research or teaching focus?

My research is focused on problems with self-control. I look at that from multiple levels, including executive cognitive functions, impulsive personality traits, addictive and “risky” behaviors like binge drinking, aggression and problematic gambling, and clinical disorders such as substance use, externalizing disorders, and psychopathic personality. I use a variety of approaches, including measurement of the brain’s electrical activity and techniques from clinical neuropsychology, as well as using validated surveys and questionnaires. 

This year I am teaching General Psychology and Introduction to Clinical Psychology. I have tended to teach classes related to mental disorders, personality, and statistics/research methods. I focus on how psychology as a science informs our understanding of the diversity of human behavior.

Do you have any advice for students?

Keep an open mind and question everything critically (but not cynically). Try not to let others, including AI, do your thinking for you. Get involved in things outside of class that you might not be able to if you weren’t a college student. Internships, study abroad, and research can help make what you learn in your classes clearer and more meaningful to you. Student organizations and clubs can help you feel connected. If you find you’re struggling in a class, or even just not understanding something as well as you would like, go see your instructor in their drop-in hours or send them an email. You may be surprised how many instructors and advisors are here primarily because they really want to help students succeed. Finally, make time for your well-being and make a point of doing whatever it is that recharges your battery. It is easy to get busy, miss self-care and then burn out. 

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like hanging out with my family and friends, especially including my furry, non-human family and friends. I garden in the summer, cross-country ski in the winter, and watch more TV and movies than I should in all seasons. I like science fiction, horror, mystery and comic books, and read all that stuff. I also spend a lot of time with food, including cooking it.