Kathryn Paige Harden

Kathryn Paige Harden is a professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, where she directs the Developmental Behavior Genetics Lab, co-directs the Texas Twin Project, and serves as director of clinical training for the clinical psychology graduate program. Her research utilizes twin studies and large genetic datasets to examine individual differences in adolescent development, focusing on areas such as delinquency, antisocial behavior, intelligence, academic achievement, and the psychological effects of early puberty and sexual activity. Harden has published more than 150 scientific papers in behavioral genetics, advocating for the integration of genetic research into psychology and the social sciences to inform policies that consider both genetic and environmental influences.

Harden is the author of the book "The Genetic Lottery," which addresses misconceptions in behavior genetics and discusses its implications for social equity, distinguishing her perspective from works such as "The Bell Curve." She is also the author of "Original Sin," which further explores genetics and human behavior in public discourse. Her expertise is reflected in appearances at academic colloquia on genome-wide association studies of externalizing behaviors, discussions on gene-environment interactions with neuroscientist Andrew Huberman, and talks at institutions such as Harvard on topics including genetic inequality, IQ, and education.

As a faculty research associate at UT Austin's Population Research Center and a Jacobs Foundation research fellow, Harden teaches large online "Introduction to Psychology" courses to undergraduate students. Her work addresses genetic contributions to risk-taking, morals, and life outcomes, engaging with scientific and ethical challenges in behavioral genetics and psychology.