Lady Gaga arrives at Harvard University Wednesday for the launch of her Born This Way Foundation.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published Saturday March 3, 2012
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Psychologist and bullying expert Susan Swearer said she was thrilled to meet Lady Gaga at the singer's Born This Way Foundation launch at Harvard University on Wednesday.
But Swearer, a researcher at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said she was more excited to be part of an organization that will spread awareness about bullying and encourage people to respect one another.
"She really has an ability to get very important anti-bullying messages out there," Swearer said of Gaga. "So for me, that was the really exciting part."
Swearer was invited by Lady Gaga, born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, to be part of a six-member panel at the foundation's first event. The panel included author Deepak Chopra and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Oprah Winfrey also attended the event.
Its founders say the nonprofit foundation's mission is to create a "braver, kinder world" where "differences are embraced and individuality is celebrated."
Swearer
Swearer, an associate professor in the UNL department of educational psychology, said the panelists' role was to pose questions to Lady Gaga about the foundation. Swearer's role as the psychologist on the panel was to stress some of her research findings — particularly that bullying is a mental health problem.
"We know bullying is complex, and there are mental health issues for everybody involved."
Swearer said the day also included a symposium on youth cruelty and meanness. It brought together American educators, researchers and media experts.
Swearer said the foundation is not just about bullying.
"Her goal is to create a kinder, braver world where all individuals treat each other with respect and treat each other kindly," Swearer said of Lady Gaga.
Swearer said one of a researcher's biggest challenges is getting out the word about his or her findings. Lady Gaga and the foundation will aid in spreading awareness and information about bullying research, Swearer said.
The amount of time that Gaga and her mother, the foundation's co-founder, invested in understanding the research was one of the things that spurred Swearer to get involved, she said. Swearer said she is unaware of any other celebrity foundation that has invested the same kind of effort.
"The work they're trying to do with the Born This Way Foundation is really unprecedented."
Swearer, who started researching bullying in 1997, is co-director of the Bullying Research Network, which unites bullying researchers worldwide.
Even though Swearer was most excited about the foundation's mission, she also is a Lady Gaga fan.
"She's very impressive — very, very smart. And I do like her music."
Gaga, who is known for her bold and eye-catching sense of style, wore a black headdress and long black dress for the foundation's event, Swearer said.
"I don't know how she walks in those heels," Swearer said, laughing.
Swearer said she hopes the foundation is able to change the culture of schools and communities where bullying occurs and, more generally, change the way people interact.
"This is just the beginning. Knowing Lady Gaga, the sky is the limit."
Contact the writer:
paige.yowell@owh.com
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