Serena Chen

Serena Chen is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. She is affiliated with the Self, Identity and Relationships (SIR) Lab, where her research explores foundational aspects of self and identity, self-compassion, close relationships, and social hierarchy dynamics.

• Education: Ph.D. from New York University.
• Research Interests: Self and identity, self-compassion, relationship well-being, social power, and inequality.

Her recent publications focus on relational self-theory, social dynamics, and collective identity formation. She actively recruits research assistants through the UC Berkeley Psychology Department and collaborates with students on topics bridging social and cognitive psychology.

The SIR Lab, which she leads, emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to understanding how interpersonal relationships shape self-concept and behavior. The lab recently celebrated a graduate mentoring award (April 2025), highlighting her contributions to student mentorship.