Faculty Snapshot: Walter Bockting

Tell us about your work.
I am a Clinical Psychologist in the area of gender, sexuality, and health. My research focuses on the development of gender identity and sexual orientation across the lifespan, and the impact of social stigma on the mental health, sexual health, and quality of life of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and, particularly, transgender and gender nonbinary individuals, their families and communities. Currently, I am working closely with the Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement on the release of the Columbia University LGBTQ+ Guide: Resources to Foster an Affirming Community for LGBTQ+ Faculty, Students and Staff. Happy Pride, everyone!

What are you looking forward to right now? What are you most excited about?
I am looking forward to a safe re-opening and to seeing my colleagues and students in person again. We have recently launched the continuation of Project AFFIRM, our longitudinal study of transgender identity development across the lifespan. I also am excited about working with the Council on Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies to promote equity and social justice at Columbia and beyond.

Tell us about a book that you have read recently and that you would recommend.
In addition to keeping up with articles in the scientific literature, I mainly read Dutch novels. These books bring me back to the country in which I was born and grew up, with rich descriptions of the countryside and places in the city I used to frequent. Most recently, I read "De Onhuwbaren" by Willem Melchior, about a young gay men's search for love, experience of limerence, and reflections on life and meaning.

To learn more about Dr. Bockting's research, please visit his faculty profile or email him directly.