William S. Ryan

William S. Ryan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto. He specializes in Social and Personality Psychology, with a focus on Health & Well-being, Workplace Wellness, and Stigmatized Identities. His work integrates Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to explore how social environments impact psychological needs and wellness.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara (2017)
• B.A. in Psychology from Smith College (2009)

Ryan's research spans two primary areas: understanding stigma's impact on health and applying SDT to organizational and social contexts. His WISH Lab collaborates with undergraduates to study well-being, identity, and stigma. He has published extensively on LGBTQ+ health disparities, autonomy support, and motivational dynamics.

His 15 most recent articles highlight trends in autonomy, competence, and relatedness (keywords), with subfields including stigma, LGBTQ+ wellness, cardiovascular physiology, and workplace diversity. Ryan's teaching philosophy is grounded in SDT, emphasizing student engagement and psychological need support.

He is committed to equity and inclusion, ensuring his lab and research practices reflect diverse, accessible, and inclusive values. His work has implications for global public health, particularly in pandemic response strategies and romantic relationship dynamics.