Dr. Molly Wilson received her JD from the University of Virginia, where she also earned an MA and PhD in social and cognitive psychology. She is Professor of Law and Psychology and Associate Dean for Research and Engagement at Saint Louis University School of Law, where she has taught Torts, Contracts, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Family Law, and Law & Psychology. Dr. Wilson’s scholarly focus is on the ways in which behavioral research can inform our understanding of human behavior in a variety of circumstances and how situational and institutional constraints impact choices. She has published articles using social and cognitive psychology research to propose methods for persuading individuals to engage in beneficial healthcare behaviors. Dr. Wilson conducts original empirical research and has been the recipient of several grants and awards for her work. Her most recent scholarship uses behavioral research to examine the ways in which reproductive health policies impact doctor-patient communication, the delivery of care, and related measures of well-being. Her latest grant-funded research surveys OB-GYNs in abortion-restricted and abortion-choice states to determine how the experiences and attitudes of these specialists differ as a function of the laws of their states. Dr. Wilson has also written on the impact of AI chatbots and social media — including the potential for these platforms to be used strategically by interest groups — on how individuals understand the risks, benefits, and availability of abortion care. Her work has been published in journals such as Cardozo Law Review, the N.Y.U. Journal of Legislation and Public Policy, and the Catholic University Law Review, among others.
