Angie Johnston

Dr. Angie Johnston is an Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department at Boston College, directing the Canine Cognition Center and Social Learning Laboratory. She holds a Ph.D. from Yale University and a B.S. from the University of Texas at Dallas. Her research explores the evolutionary origins of human teaching and learning by comparing human cognition with that of domesticated dogs and dingoes. Key areas include canine social learning, domestication effects, and cross-species comparisons.

Her work has been supported by NSF grants and featured in media outlets such as NBC Nightly News, the Today Show, and Scientific American. Dr. Johnston collaborates with undergraduate researchers and mentors Ph.D. students like Karen Jesch and Molly Byrne. She investigates how domestication shaped cognitive traits shared between dogs and humans, with studies on overimitation, gaze behavior, and informant sensitivity.

Publications highlight her focus on canine cognition, including studies on dingo behavior, social re-engagement, and metacognition. Her labs engage the community through citizen science initiatives, inviting participants with dogs to contribute to research. Future work aims to enhance understanding of domestication’s role in cognitive evolution and improve working dog training practices.