Esteemed psychologist named 2025-2026 FSU Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor

An internationally acclaimed psychologist with an influential track record of research, teaching and service has been named Florida State University’s 2025-2026 Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor.

Pamela Keel, Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of Psychology, has been recognized by FSU faculty members with the highest honor they can bestow upon one of their own. She is the fifth psychologist to receive the honor since the award’s inception in 1957.

“Pamela Keel’s impressive and undeniable impact on mental health research sets her apart as a researcher and scholar, but it’s her equal dedication to teaching and service that exemplify what it means to be a professor,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “Her work reflects the best of what we strive for as a university — research that changes lives, service that strengthens community and a commitment to lifting others along the way. We’re proud to have her join the high ranks of Florida State University’s Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professors.”

Keel, who has been at FSU for more than 16 years, was thrilled when President McCullough called to share the good news.

“Joining this community of outstanding faculty at Florida State University is an incredible honor,” she said. “I believe in universities as institutions for growth and innovation. Florida State University fulfills this mission by supporting faculty focusing on problems where getting the answers will make a difference in somebody’s life.”

Keel, an expert on eating disorders and body image, has significantly influenced the field of clinical psychology. Her work has led to the recognition of purging disorder as a distinct condition in the Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), impacting the lives of millions globally.

“Pam is an incredible scholar and teacher who serves the university well in the community,” said Jim Clark, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “She’s also a wonderful person and peer who cares a lot about her fellow professors, her department, her college and Florida State University. I couldn’t be more thrilled for her and proud that she is this year’s Lawton Professor.”

“One of the things that I’ve observed is that whenever I’ve received an award, there’s this little moment where you’re humbled by the appreciation, combined with this sense of, ‘I need to keep earning this recognition I received.’ The award inspires commitment to strive for the best I am capable of doing.”

– Pamela Keel, 2025-2026 Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor

Keel joined FSU’s psychology department as a professor in December 2008 and was promoted to Distinguished Research Professor 10 years later. From 2013-2016, Keel led the department’s APA-accredited Clinical Psychology program, helping to attract significant federal funding to FSU.

She has been principal investigator on new external grants exceeding $20 million in funding to FSU, not including her role as co-principal investigator on the initial $15 million Military Suicide Research Consortium and its $20 million competitive renewal. Collectively, her total funding at FSU amounts to over $55 million.

“I have connected with many talented scholars over my 34-year academic career and have found myself awed in a few cases by how much a particular person has managed to achieve in the course of a career,” Christopher J. Patrick, Distinguished Research Professor and director of Clinical Training in the Department of Psychology, wrote in his faculty nomination letter. “Some individuals seem born for scholarly work and pursue it with a special gusto that sets them apart – in terms of exceptional brilliance and creative vigor as well as results. Dr. Keel is one such person.”

Highly regarded in her field, Keel was elected a fellow of the Academy of Eating Disorders (2006), Association for Psychological Science (2013), American Psychological Association (2014), a member of the Academy of Science Engineering and Medicine of Florida (ASEMFL) (2023) and received the Leadership Award for Research from the Academy of Eating Disorders in 2019.

“Professor Keel is a world-renowned scholar in the field of eating disorders,” Janet Kistner, vice president for Faculty Development and Advancement and professor of psychology, wrote in her letter of support. “By any metric used to index scholarly contributions, she tops the charts. She has achieved the highest levels of distinction in her field of study, she is an award-winning teacher and mentor, and her services to the university and her academic discipline are outstanding. In every way, Professor Keel epitomizes the qualities and accomplishments expected of a Lawton Professor.”

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