Geoffrey Cohen

Geoffrey Cohen is the James G. March Professor of Organizational Studies in Education and Business, and Professor of Psychology at Stanford University's Graduate School of Education. He holds a courtesy appointment in Organizational Behavior at the Graduate School of Business. His research focuses on identity, belonging, and interventions to address social inequities in education, healthcare, and workplace settings. Cohen earned his Ph.D. in Psychology from Stanford University (1998) and a B.A. in Psychology from Cornell University.

Education:

• Ph.D., Stanford University, Psychology (1998)
• Bachelor of Arts, Cornell University, Psychology

Research Interests: Cohen investigates how identity threats and belonging shape behavior, particularly for marginalized groups. His work emphasizes scalable interventions to improve academic outcomes, reduce disciplinary disparities, and foster inclusive environments. He is author of Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides (2022), which explores belonging's role in education, healthcare, and societal contexts.

Key Contributions: Cohen's interventions, such as social-belonging exercises and self-affirmation techniques, have demonstrated long-term impacts on academic success, mental health, and social cohesion. His studies span disciplines including education, medicine, and public health, with findings published in top journals like Science Advances and Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Grants & Teaching: Cohen teaches courses on social psychology, intervention design, and belonging. He mentors doctoral students and postdocs investigating identity processes and scalable solutions to social problems. His lab collaborates with schools and healthcare systems to implement evidence-based strategies.

Labs/Teams: Cohen leads a research group at Stanford's Graduate School of Education, affiliated with the Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) and the Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance. His work bridges theory and practice, aiming to create real-world impact through psychologically informed interventions.