معرفی
Eric Raymond Igou is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Limerick, leading the Department of Psychology since 2020. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Heidelberg and has held academic roles at Tilburg University and New York University. His research focuses on existential concerns, self-regulation (e.g., boredom, disillusionment), affective forecasting, and heroism, emphasizing the interplay between emotions and meaning in life. He has supervised over 30 students and founded the SOCO-UL Social Cognition Lab. Key contributions include studies on meaning-regulation processes, the psychological effects of boredom, and heroism's societal functions.
Education: Completed his Ph.D. at the University of Heidelberg, followed by post-doctoral research at NYU (2002–2004). His academic career spans roles in Tilburg (2004–2008) and Limerick since 2008. He has coordinated transnational psychology education programs and developed master’s courses such as the MSc in Psychological Science and the MA in Psychology (Conversion).
Research Interests: Explores existential psychology, social cognition, and decision-making processes. Notable themes include the role of boredom in meaning-seeking behaviors, heroism as a cultural construct, and cross-cultural variations in happiness ideals. His work bridges theoretical and applied domains, addressing topics like political polarization (e.g., Brexit, Trump election) linked to disillusionment.
Professional Contributions: Organized major conferences like C-SPI (2009, 2011) and ESCON events (2011). Served as Head of Department (2010–2013 and ongoing), academic coordinator roles, and transnational education coordinator. His lab’s alumni include prominent researchers such as Wijnand van Tilburg (King's College London).
Grants and Funding: Secured IRCHSS and IRC grants for student research projects. Collaborations include international partnerships with institutions like the University of Michigan (2016–2017 sabbatical) and King’s College London.
Labs/Teams: Directs the SOCO-UL Lab, fostering undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. research in social cognition and decision-making. Current lab members include Dara McCormack, Grainne Nic Chormaic, and Andrew Moynihan.
