Academics

Melanie Brewster, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Education at Columbia University, earned her Ph.D from the University of Florida. Her research focuses on marginalized groups and examines how experiences of discrimination and stigma may shape the mental health of minority group members (e.g., LGBTQ individuals, atheists, people of color). Dr. Brewster also examines potential resilience factors, such as bicultural self-efficacy and cognitive flexibility, that may promote the mental health of minority individuals. To date, most of her research has centered on the experiences of sexual minority people. Specifically, Dr. Brewster has focused on groups who occupy the "margins of marginalized populations" -- including bisexual individuals, LGB people of color, and transgender persons.

Currently, she is working on several projects regarding experiences of workplace discrimination among sexual minority populations, as well as projects on identity development and "coming out" as atheist. Her book, Atheists in America: Narratives from an Invisible Minority, will be published by Columbia University Press in 2014. 

Research awards

2012    Women of Color Psychologies Award

Presented annually by the Association for Women in Psychology (AWP) and the Society for the Psychology of Women (Division 35 of APA) to the best paper that advances scholarship with women of color.

2012    Psychotherapy with Women Award

Presented annually by the Society for the Psychology of Women (Division 35 of APA) to a manuscript on the broad topic on psychotherapy with women on the basis of scholarly rigor, clinical impact, theoretical creativity and innovation, methodological skills, clarity and style of presentation, in addition to its relevance and importance to psychotherapy with women.

2011    Outstanding Major Contribution Award

Presented annually in recognition of the most outstanding Major Contribution published in The Counseling Psychologist

2011    Barbara Kirk Award

The Barbara A. Kirk Award is presented annually by the American Psychological Association Society of Counseling Psychology in recognition of outstanding student-initiated research

2011    Award for Distinguished Student Contribution

Presented annually by the Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues (Division 44 of the American Psychological Association) to a graduate student in psychology who has made a distinguished contribution to research or practice, or who has performed exceptional service to the Division. Recipients of this award represent the future of this Division, and have taken leadership early in their careers to advance LGBT issues in psychology.

2011    Outstanding Counseling Psychology Graduate Student Award

University of Florida Psychology Department; conferred annually upon a doctoral student in counseling psychology for excellence in research and professional work

2010    Outstanding Graduate Student Award

American Psychological Association Society of Counseling Psychology Section for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues

2010    Transgender Research Award Honorable Mention

American Psychological Association Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues

2010    Ted Landsman Award

University of Florida Psychology Department; conferred annually upon a doctoral student in counseling psychology whose projects or initiatives promise to promote an understanding of, or contribution to, positive human growth

2009    Rainbow Alliance Research Award

University of Florida; conferred annually upon graduate students at UF for excellence in research on behalf of LGBT persons

2008    Bisexual Foundation Grant

American Psychological Association Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues; conferred annually upon an emerging scholar in bisexuality research

Travel awards

2012    American Psychological Association Division 17, Early Career Psychologist Travel Grant

2011    University of Florida College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

            University of Florida Department of Psychology

2010    American Psychological Association Science Directorate

            University of Florida College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

            University of Florida Department of Psychology

2008    American Psychological Association Science Directorate

University of Florida College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

            University of Florida Department of Psychology

2007    University of Florida Department of Psychology

            University of Florida College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

*bold denotes student collaborator

23. Sandil, R., Robinson, M., Brewster, M.E., Geiger, L., & Wong, S.(2013). South Asian American Sexual Minority Men: Exploring Experiences of Stress and Acculturation. In C. DeBlaere & D. Rivera (chairs), Risk and Resiliency in Negotiating Multiple Minority Identities. Symposium to be conducted at the biennial meeting of the National Multicultural Conference and Summit, Houston, TX.  

22. Brewster, M.E., & Rosenkrantz, D. (2012, August). Employment non-discrimination laws for transgender employees: Links with job satisfaction, workplace climate, and outness. Poster  presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Orlando, FL.

21. Velez, B. Brewster, M.E., Moradi, B. (2012, August). Testing the tenets of minority stress theory in workplace contexts. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Orlando, FL.

20. Brewster, M.E., Jones, N., & Jones, J. (2012, August). The construction and validation of the LGBT Ally Development Measure. Poster  presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Orlando, FL.

19. Robinson, M. & Brewster, M.E. (2012, August). (Pre)complentative gay fathers: The impact of gender role conflict and internalized homonegatvity in motivation to parent. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Orlando, FL.

18. Brewster, M.E., Tebbe, E., & Velez, B. (2012, August). A qualitative content analysis of gender transitions in the workplace. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Orlando, FL.

17. Brewster, M.E., Tebbe, E., & Velez, B. (2011, August). Workplace gender transitions: Consensual qualitative research examining complexities in experience for transgender employees. In L. Dickey (Chair), Negotiating transphobia: Community, work, and mental health challenges. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington D.C.

16. Brewster, M.E., & Moradi, B. (2011, August). Minority stress, protective factors, and mental health in bisexual populations. In R. Fox (Chair), Identity, minority stress, and psychological well-being in bisexual populations. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington D.C.

15. Brewster, M.E., & Moradi, B. (2011, January). Pathologized to postmodern: The evolution of bisexuality discourses within psychological scholarship. In T. Israel (Chair), Bisexuality and beyond: Strengthening competencies regarding bisexual and fluid sexuality. Symposium conducted at the biennial meeting of the National Multicultural Conference and Summit, Seattle, WA.

14. DeBlaere, C., & Brewster, M.E. (2011, January). Multiple discrimination experiences and psychological distress: The moderating role of collective action. In S. Gresham (Chair), Risk and resiliency among LGBT people of color: Linking science and practice. Symposium conducted at the biennial meeting of the National Multicultural Conference and Summit, Seattle, WA.

13. Brewster, M.E. (2010, October). Exploring Bisexual Identity and Mental Health: Potential Factors of Risk and Resilience. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Utah University and College Counseling Centers Conference, Park City, UT.

12. Brewster, M.E., Velez, B.L., & Moradi, B. (2010, August). Transgender workplace issues: The applicability of sexual minority measures and models. In K. Balsam (Chair), Minority stress among LGBT populations: New directions in research. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Diego, CA.

11. Brewster, M.E., & Moradi, B. (2010, August). Bisexual identity in emerging, early, and middle adulthood. In S. Dworkin (Chair), Current research on bisexuality. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Diego, CA.

10. Velez, B.L., Moradi, B., Tolaymat, L., Parent, M., Brewster, M.E., & Zhang, S. (2010, August). Men’s reference group identity: Links with collective self-esteem and social desirability. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Diego, CA.

9. Brewster, M.E., & Moradi, B. (2008, August). Perceived anti-bisexual prejudice experiences: Scale development and evaluation. In R. Fox (Chair), Current research on bisexuality: Identity, behavior, prejudice, and well-being. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Boston, MA.

8. DeBlaere, C., Brewster, M.E., Sarkees, A., & Moradi, B. (2008, August). Methodological approaches for conducting research with LGBT persons of color. In B. Moradi & J. Mohr (Chairs), Innovative research methodologies for advancing LGBT scholarship. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Boston, MA.

7. Martin, A., Moradi, B., & Brewster, M.E. (2008, August). Evaluating a measure of feminist threat. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Boston, MA.

6. Brewster, M.E., & Moradi, B. (2007, August). Perceived prejudice experiences of bisexual individuals: Scale Development and initial evaluation. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA.

5. DeBlaere, C., & Brewster, M.E. (2007, August). A multicultural-feminist model of graduate training in intersections of diversities. In B. Moradi (Chair) Graduate training on intersections of diversities: model, strategies, and implementation. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA.

4. Huang, Y., Goodman, M., Brewster, M.E., Wiseman, M., Moradi, B., & Martin, A. (2007, August). Content Review of Literature on LGBT People of Color: 1995-2005. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA.

3. DeBlaere, C., Sarkees, A., & Brewster, M.E. (2006, August). Racial/Ethnic minority recruitment in LGB research: Strategies and successes. In B. Moradi (Chair) Practical issues in LGBT research. Round table discussion conducted at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, New Orleans, LA.

2. Moradi, B., DeBlaere, C., Wiseman, M., Goodman, M.B., Brewster, M.E., Huang, Y., Sarkees, A.M., & Garner, S.F. (2006, August). Racial/Ethnic minority and non-minority LGB persons’ perceptions of stigma, internalized homophobia and outness: Comparisons of levels and links. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, New Orleans, LA.           

1. Selke, G., Bowers, D., Brewster, M.E., Williams, L., Qudrot, S., Beckwith, A., Hurley, L., & Fennell, E. (2005, February). Affective modulation of the startle reflex in children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Presented at the International Neuropsychological Society Conference, St. Louis, MO.