Susan Gelman

Susan Gelman is the Heinz Werner Distinguished University Professor of Psychology and Professor of Linguistics at the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on cognitive development, language acquisition, categorization, causal reasoning, and the interplay between language and thought. She holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University.

Her work explores foundational questions such as how children form categories, understand causal relationships, and how language shapes conceptual development. She directs the Conceptual Development Lab, investigating topics like children’s reasoning about illness, digital privacy, and transgender identities. Recent studies include examining anthropomorphic representations of viruses and the role of generic language in social cognition.

Key awards include the IUPSyS Major Advancement Prize (2024) and the APA Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award (2022). Her research has implications for education, public health, and social policy. She collaborates across disciplines, integrating insights from linguistics, psychology, and cognitive science. The lab’s studies often involve both in-person and virtual participation, engaging diverse populations including multilingual and multicultural groups.