Matthew K. Nock
Clinical Science Visionary Award
Significant Contributions

Matthew K. Nock, Ph.D. is the Edgar Pierce Professor of Psychology and Professor of Epidemiology at Harvard University. Dr. Nock's contributions to clinical science are profound in the area of understanding and preventing self-injurious thoughts and behaviors. As one of his nominees noted, this is "one of the most perplexing areas of psychopathology that has baffled scientists for over a century." One of his many contributions in their area was the development of the Suicidal Ideation Thoughts and Behaviors Interview (SITBI), the gold standarf measure of suicide risk in the field.  He also revolutionized the field's understanding of self-arm motivation and behaviors through his Four-Function Model of Nonsuicial Self-Injury (NSSI). 

Another contribution to clinical science has been Dr. Nock's pioneering work in the utilization of ecological momentary assessment and intervention through the use of digital data rom smartphones and sensors, making all of his measures and approaches publicly available to help accelerate research in the field of clinical science. As one of his nominee's noted, Dr. Nock "is bringing preventive care to people when and where they need it most. This work is incredibly exciting because it allows for early identification of problems, and immediate delivery of interventions to help prevent an attempt." 

Dr. Nock has received a MacArthur Genius Grant from the MacArthur Foundation, the Lifesaver Leadership Award from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and the Sarah Gund Prize from the Child Mind Institute. Dr. Nock is a prolific researcher and scholar with more than $40 million in grants award and over 115,000 citations, with more than 25 papers that have been cited 1000+ times each! Beyond all of these acholades, Dr. Nock has also received recognition for his outstanding teaching and mentorship, in addition to serving two terms as Chair of the Psychology Department at Harvard, serving as an associate editor on numerous journals and on NIMH's National Advisory Mental Health Council, co-chairing the Suicide Workgroup for the World Health Orgnanization, and contributing to the Lancet Commission on self-harm. 

References (click to read).

Franklin, J. C., Ribeiro, J. D., Fox, K. R., Bentley, K. H., Kleiman, E. M., Huang, X., Musacchio, K. M., Jaroszewski, A. C., Chang, B. P., & Nock, M. K. (2017). Risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors: A meta-analysis of 50 years of research. Psychological Bulletin, 143(2), 187–232.

Nock, M. K. (2009). Why do people hurt themselves? New insights into the nature and functions of self-injury. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 18(2), 78-83.

Nock, M. K., Borges, G., Bromet, E. J., Cha, C. B., Kessler, R. C., & Lee, S. (2008). Suicide and suicidal behavior. Epidemiologic Reviews, 30(1), 133-154.

Nock, M. K., Holmberg, E. B., Photos, V. I., & Michel, B. D. (2007). Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Interview: Development, reliability, and validity in an adolescent sample. Psychological Assessment, 19(3), 309–317.