Courtney Durdle
Associate Research Scholar| courtney.durdle@yale.edu
Courtney Durdle
Courtney Durdle, Ph.D., is an Associate Research Scholar at the Justice Collaboratory at Yale Law School. With a focus on cognition and memory, Dr. Durdle’s research investigates the decision-making strategies individuals use when recalling stressful autobiographical events, such as eyewitness accounts. Through her innovative research designs, she seeks to improve both the quantity and accuracy of information people recall, ultimately contributing to more reliable evidence in criminal justice proceedings.
Dr. Durdle’s research strongly aligns with the Justice Collaboratory’s mission to advance fairness, equity, and legitimacy within the criminal justice system. Through collaboration with leading scholars and practitioners in the field, she aims to contribute insights that drive systemic reform while fostering greater public trust in the legal process. Her interdisciplinary approach—blending psychology, neuroscience, and legal studies—ensures that her recommendations are grounded in rigorous research and offer practical pathways toward more equitable and effective justice outcomes.
Dr. Durdle earned her Ph.D. in Cognition, Perception, & Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), where she was a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. She also holds dual bachelor’s degrees—a B.S. in Human Development and a B.A. in Psychology—with a minor in Education from the University of California, Davis. In addition to her research, Dr. Durdle has a strong passion for mentorship and academic support, having served as a Writing Specialist for the UCSB McNair Scholars Program, where she assisted underrepresented students to advance their research skills, prepare for doctoral studies, and pursue academic careers.