Janelle R. Goodwill was appointed as a Neubauer Family Assistant Professor in 2020. She is a faculty member in the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice.
Goodwill's research centers the mental health experiences of Black Americans, with a particular focus on suicide and depression. In this work, she explores how strengths such as help-seeking, coping, and social support protect against adverse outcomes and ultimately promote wellbeing. Additionally, she considers how measurement and psychological scale construction influences the detection of depression across race and gender groups. The overarching goal of her research is to identify the intra- and interpersonal factors that both prevent suicide and foster flourishing for youth, young adults, and beyond.
Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Chicago, Goodwill earned her MSW, MS, and PhD in social work and psychology from the University of Michigan. She completed her undergraduate studies at Michigan State University.