Elizabeth provides research project management, conceptual design, and technical direction across diverse studies, including evaluability assessments, experimental program evaluations, nationally representative longitudinal observational studies, multi-mode data collection, dyadic measurement, integration of survey data from multiple sources, and saturated sample social network research.  Populations with which Elizabeth has worked include military, law enforcement, correctional, and firefighter personnel facing high-risk professional responsibilities, clinicians, social and victim service providers, educational administrators, youth and young adults, women of reproductive age and pregnant women, and users of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances.

Elizabeth maintains an active research program in interpersonal behaviors, such as her nationally representative research regarding technology-facilitated abuse through her Cyber-Abuse Research Initiative (CARI). Additionally, she directs experimental studies evaluating prevention programming for the Department of Defense and resilience programming within school communities. Investigating dating violence, sexual harassment, and sexual assault, she led the longitudinal National Survey of Teen Relationships and Intimate Violence (STRiV) and the national Interpersonal Conflict and Resolution (iCOR) study. Elizabeth leads the Officer Safety and Wellness (OSAW) Initiative, as part of a broader research program in the well-being of high-stress professionals, including law enforcement and correctional officers. Important to Elizabeth’s research is attention to disparities associated with disadvantaged populations in terms of gender, sexual orientation, trauma profiles, developmental processes, and environmental context.

Elizabeth is trained in the theoretical framework and delivery of multiple trauma therapies, including MindFitness, HeartMath, and Somatic Experiencing Practice. Prior to her career in research, Elizabeth worked internationally with multiple government agencies in program management and evaluation addressing strategic planning, program development, and policy formation and evaluation.  

Elizabeth also founded the Goal:Resilience blog on NORC.org with colleagues across the organization to share insights from their work on human resilience and how we cope with stressors and trauma.