Sarah Cusworth Walker, PhD
Director

Pronouns: she/her
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Sarah Cusworth Walker, PhD, is a psychologist and professor with a background in philosophy of science, health services research, and counseling psychology. Her work advances policy and system change for youth well-being through scholarly and practical applications. Dr. Walker founded and directs the CoLab for Community and Behavioral Health Policy, a youth wellness policy think tank that works directly with governments and community sectors to advance system change. Her scholarly work is recognized by notable journals, including the Journal of Adolescent Health and Health Services Research, for highly cited and top downloaded publications. Dr. Walker’s research work is supported by the National Institute of Drug Abuse, the William T Grant Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Annie E Casey Foundation among others. Her public impact has been recognized by awards from the MacArthur Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and as a public voices fellow with Academy Health. Her public writing has appeared in the Stanford Social Innovation Review and Seattle Times and her research work has been cited in public arguments to advance youth de-incarceration throughout the United States.