Maria O’Connell, PhD

SEED Grant Co-Principal Investigator and Director of Research

Maria O’Connell, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Director of Research and Evaluation at the Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health (PRCH). Dr. O’Connell has provided oversight and quality assurance for collaborative research and evaluation projects conducted at PRCH since 2002. She has an extensive background in conducting research on recovery-related topics, including psychiatric advance directives, self-determination and choice, recovery-oriented services, housing and other community based programs, as well as expertise in the development of data management systems, statistical analysis, and program evaluation. Dr. O’Connell currently has an NIMH R01 examining the adoption and diffusion of person-centered and recovery-oriented practices among community mental health centers nationwide.
She is Co-Principal Investigator on the Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) grant from the US Department of Education focused on preparing school leaders in high-need districts to be culturally responsive and proactive in implementing trauma-conscious practices in the classroom.