Anne Bowker

Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Anne Bowker is a Professor in the Department of Psychology. Her research explores lifespan development, with a particular focus on the critical transitionary periods of early adulthood and mid-life. She completed her undergraduate studies at Concordia University and holds an MA and a PhD from the University of Waterloo.

Anne’s research interests are in the area of positive youth development, with a particular interest in the role of extracurricular activity participation. More specifically, her research focuses on the different types of activities (particularly sports activities) in which adolescents participate and how this might predict positive developmental indices such as self-esteem, body esteem, self-efficacy and leadership ability. Additionally, she is interested in peer relations during adolescence and emerging adulthood, both at the group level and with respect to dyadic or specific friendship relations.  Her most recent research focuses on emerging adulthood and the transition to university, examining individual and relational factors which might impact this transition.