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FASS in a Flash – with Interim Dean Dr. Anne Bowker

Lightning Interviews with Our Community

Interim Dean Anne Bowker, Photo by Ainslie Coghill.

Name: Anne Bowker
Academic Title: Interim Dean
Email: anne.bowker@carleton.ca
FASS Affiliation(s): Department of Psychology
Owner of Milo, a Carleton Therapy Dog

How would you explain your research to someone with no experience in your field?

I am a developmental psychologist interested in developmental transitions. I’m interested in university transitions (i.e., the transition to 1st year university) and what factors might affect how smooth the transition is. I’m also interested in mid-life transitions and changes that occur between 40 and 65, particularly the menopausal transition.

What first sparked your interest in your discipline and research?

I took a Developmental Psychology course in my second year of university which involved doing some behavioral observations in a daycare and looking at young children’s pretend or make-believe play. I was hooked.

What’s one fact about your research area that most people are surprised to learn?

My current work is on menopause, and most people know very little about the menopausal transition, even middle aged women, because we don’t feel comfortable talking about these issues in public, or even with our doctors.

Dean Anne Bowker and her dog, Milo
Interim Dean Anne Bowker and her dog, Milo

What’s the biggest misconception about your research area?

I think many people think that development stops once you hit adulthood, but we continue to develop and change throughout our lifespan.

Read Dr. Bowker’s message to all new and returning students of the 2023/2024 school year!

Do you have a favourite class to teach?

I have taught several first year seminars – one on emerging adulthood and aging, the other one on the psychology of success, a course that I teach with Matt Sorley, an instructor in Psychology. I love teaching with Matt!

Is there a reading or course from your time as a university student that significantly changed the way you think about the world?

Dibs in search of self by Virginia Axline. It was a book about the use of play therapy for a troubled child. It made me want to become a psychologist, and I did work as a psychometrist for awhile and even did some play therapy. But I was also hooked by the academic life of research and teaching.

What media and/or popular culture content have you recently enjoyed?

I read all the time. Some of my favourite books this year are The Fraud by Zadie Smith; Do you remember being born? by Sean Michaels; Tom Lake by Ann Patchett, and I’m halfway through Outlive by Peter Attia, which is a non-fiction book on how to live longer and healthier.

What’s your favourite spot on campus?

I love sitting by the Rideau Canal (although I guess that isn’t really on campus); I like going to Bridgehead, so I guess the lobby of the Nicol Building is another favourite spot.

Do you have any current or upcoming academic projects that you’re excited about?

My co-authors and I are working on a book about menopause, based on 60 interviews that we did with menopausal women. And my co-authors include two anthropology students (one of whom is my daughter Emma, who is working on her PhD) and my good friend Janet Mantler in Psychology. I love working with all of them, it’s a really collaborative project.