Allura Casanova, Ph.D.
She/Her/Ella
Assistant Professor of Psychology
About
Allura Casanova is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Hampton University. She received her Joint Ph.D. in Psychology and Women’s & Gender Studies, also from the University of Michigan. As an interdisciplinary researcher, Dr. Casanova’s work centers around three key areas: How men of color conceptualize their masculinity through the lenses of race and culture. What gender expectations and masculinity norms influence Black men’s mental health and well-being and lastly, how sexual harassment and discrimination manifest for men of color in the workplace.
She actively participates in Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives to erase structural racism and oppression present in academia. She does DEI work by recruiting and mentoring marginalized students pursing their secondary education, creating anti-racism and inclusion workshops and creating unique projects (e.g., exhibitions) that promote the necessity of diversity. A notable achievement is her recent book chapter titled “Sometimes You Just Need to be Heard”: Forms of Social Support for Black College Men, in which she explores how Black men define social support and how they navigate both positive and negative support systems to care for their mental health.
Education
- Ph.D. in Psychology & Women’s and Gender Studies
- M.S. Psychology
- B.S. Forensic Psychology
Courses Taught
- Introduction to Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Methods of Psychology
- Psychology of Gender
- Junior Seminar
- Senior Seminar
Area of Expertise
- Social/Personality Psychology
Research Interests
GEM Lab: Gender Expectations & Masculinities Lab
The main goal of the GEM lab is to demonstrate how gender expectations and masculinities influence men’s behavior and lives. We take an active role in increasing research that highlights the complex realities that men face that are either unacknowledged due to dominate discourses or simplified due to assumptions about men being a homogenous group. The GEM Lab investigates how gender manifests within different organizations like the workplace and universities.
Current Research Areas
- Understanding how gendered workplace cultures influences men’s experiences of sexual harassment and discrimination.
- Black college men’s understanding of masculinity and how this influences their mental health, coping and willingness to seek social support.
Lab Requirements
- At least a 3.0 GPA
- Taken at least Intro to Psychology (PSY 203) and Research Methods (PSY 208)
- Time commitment of 5-8 hours per week
Publications
Watkins, D. C., Goodwill, J. R., Johnson, N. C., Casanova, A., Wei, T., Allen, J. O., Williams, E. G., Anyiwo, N., Jackson, Z., Talley, L. M., & Abelson, J. M. (2020). An online behavioral health intervention promoting mental health, manhood, and social support for Black men: The YBMen project. American Journal of Men’s Health.
Williams, E., Casanova, A., & Watkins, D. C. (2023). Black Boys’ Perceptions of Depression and Mental Health: Findings from the YBMen Project. Special Issue Journal of Social Problems.
Casanova, A. & Watkins, D. (2025). “Sometimes You Just Need to be Heard”: Forms of Social Support for Black College Men. In M. Lafrance, J. Deslauriers, G. Tremblay, & P. Hoebanx (Eds.), The Forgotten Realities of Men: Critical Reflections on Masculinity in Contemporary Society (pp. 58-82). UBC Press.
Casanova, A., Washington, D. M., Gusway, A. (Under Review) One Man’s Horseplay is Another Man’s Humiliation: How Harassment Policies Perpetually Fail Men of Color. Social Issues and Policy Review.
Professional Affiliations
- Vivian A. and James L. Curtis Center Affiliate
- American Men’s Studies Association
- ABPsi