Dr. Cait Cavanagh
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caitcavanagh.bsky.social
Dr. Cait Cavanagh
@caitcavanagh.bsky.social

Juvenile justice researcher from a developmental psych perspective ▪️ Associate Professor, School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University ▪️ Treasurer, Lansing Board of Education

www.TheADJustLab.com
I had so much fun talking about career path, approach to research, and current projects with the MSU Psychology Club! Plus I honestly got some of the toughest questions I’ve ever gotten in my career— these students are deep thinkers!
October 30, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Happy fall semester from the ADJust Lab!
October 29, 2025 at 12:33 AM
A huge congratulations to the newly-minted DOCTOR @alyssa-laberge.bsky.social!

Alyssa has worked with me for 7 years, first as a master’s student and then as a PhD student. Her growth as a scholar, teacher, and person has been such a joy to witness.

She’s on to a TT position at UW LaCrosse!
July 15, 2025 at 8:12 PM
What’s going on here? A moderation analysis revealed that the iatrogenic association was stronger for youth who entered the court with a low risk of recidivism, as well as for families who did not complete the program.
May 5, 2025 at 6:13 PM
The bad news: that success does not happen equally. Risk/needs were reduced significantly less for Black boys vs. white boys and Black girls. Since Black boys are overrepresented at every level of the juvenile justice system, it’s a big problem that their needs in particular aren’t being addressed!
April 24, 2025 at 3:06 PM
The good news: overall, risk/needs decreased significantly from court supervision entry to exit. That means the rehabilitative intervention the court is putting into place are successfully filling gaps for at-risk youth!
April 24, 2025 at 3:06 PM
March for Science 2017 ➡️ Stand up for Science 2025

Hate that we are back here after 8 years, forced to defend the obvious value of funded science. But ready to speak up for the next 80 years because it matters.
March 8, 2025 at 6:28 PM
I’ll be speaking around 1pm. Please join us at the Capitol building from 12-4 this Friday!
March 3, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Michigan friends, I hope you’ll join me at this important event on Friday.
March 2, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Last night, the Lansing Board of Education voted unanimously in favor of a Welcoming Resolution (below).

Lansing schools are incredibly diverse, welcoming students from over 50 countries. How and why they came to us is not our concern; giving them the best possible education is.
February 7, 2025 at 11:02 AM
🙃
January 27, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Happy first day of class, MSU! I’m back in the classroom teaching undergrads for the first time in 5 years, so I was nervous. But the students were highly engaged and I can tell it will be a great class!
January 13, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Roundup of the 57 books I read in 2024! I starred the ones I enjoyed most.

Did you read any of these? What did you think?

What should I read in 2025?
January 6, 2025 at 11:54 PM
A huge congratulations to the newly-minted DOCTOR Morgan Titus! Morgan’s dissertation, a qualitative study of caregivers whose children were part of a specialty court for youth victims of domestic minor sex trafficking, was:
-Thorough
-Nuanced
-Novel
-Compassionate
-Actionable
December 5, 2024 at 7:07 PM
Proudly presenting my cats
November 20, 2024 at 1:35 AM
Our family flew in from three states (MI, SC, and NY) to sing “Take me out to the ballgame” and cheer the Yankees to victory at Wrigley Field! #toyotapinstripepride
November 18, 2024 at 12:12 AM
The manuscript The manuscript
with the additions as I originally
from reviewers wrote it
November 18, 2024 at 12:12 AM
Empty lobby means that’s a wrap on #APLS2024! Sam & I are happy to take your compliments but please direct complaints to next year’s co-chairs 😉

On a serious note, it’s been a privilege to organize my favorite conference and spend it with my favorite people. Until Puerto Rico!
November 18, 2024 at 12:11 AM
The calm before the (fun! Intellectual!) storm at #APLS2024! Glad to have today to settle in and get ready. Attendees, I can highly recommend Mama Por Dios and Joey DTLA, both a short, direct walk from the conference hotel!
November 18, 2024 at 12:11 AM
Just over here combining my two passions of being a school board member and teaching stats by creating this handy chart to prepare for a meeting with the school district’s executive team on how to better track and analyze data. With my cat.
November 18, 2024 at 12:11 AM
Lab stickers have arrived 👀
November 18, 2024 at 12:11 AM
You’re never going to guess how mine came out….
November 18, 2024 at 12:11 AM
Attendees of #APLS2024, if you wonder how we came up with some of the paper session titles, just know I had some help.
November 18, 2024 at 12:10 AM
I was out of town this week so I didn’t think I’d get to participate in the @SCJGSA Holiday Door Decorating Contest. But! Under the gun! Please enjoy my submission: @msu_scj Faculty Enjoying a Moonlit Icedance
November 18, 2024 at 12:10 AM
Decisions for #APLS2024 are officially OUT! 🎉 Here are some fun stats about the great team of reviewers it took to get us here. Thank you, reviewers!

@samzottola and I are proud of the program we are putting together. Look for a draft conference program in early 2024 👀
November 18, 2024 at 12:10 AM