Noted Duke University psychology professor Kenneth A. Dodge will discuss”Preventing Chronic Violence in Children and Adolescents”at 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29, as part of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences2001 Helen Coast Hayes Lecture. The free public presentation will be given in Room 458 of the Business and Economics building.
p. Dr. Dodge is the first director of the Duke University Center for Child and Family Policy. In this role, he leads an effort to bridge basic scientific research in childrens development with public policy affecting children and families. The center provides an integrated system of research, debate and dissemination, public service and teaching, addressing issues of child and family policy.

Dodges particular area of study addresses the developments and prevention of chronic violence in children and adolescents. He conducts both laboratory and longitudinal studies of how chronic, aggressive behavior develops across the life span.

Dodge has used his research findings to create the Fast Track Program, which is a comprehensive effort to prevent the development of chronic violence in children who are at high risk. This program is being implemented and evaluated in four regions of the country with positive preliminary results.

Dodge has published more than 130 scientific articles and is the principal investigator for several large research grants. He is the recipient of a Research Scientist Award from the National Institute for Mental Health and has been honored with several awards from the American Psychological Association, including the Distinguished Scientific Award for Early Career Contribution to Psychopathology.

The Helen Coast Hayes Lecture Series began in 1998 through an endowment dedicated to the liberal arts on topics related to peace. The purpose of the fund is to guarantee a lasting presence for peace studies on the WVU campus.