Joseph Vandello

Joseph Vandello is a Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Psychology at the University of South Florida, where he has been a faculty member since 2002. He holds a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Princeton University. His work is centered in the Gender and Interpersonal Dynamics Lab, focusing on gender, culture, aggression, and morality.

His research interests include:

• Precarious Manhood
• Gender and LGBTQ+ Issues
• Cultural and Cross-Cultural Psychology
• Aggression and Violence
• Morality and Social Perception
• Work-Family Dynamics

Dr. Vandello's recent publications explore global patterns in gender identity, the health implications of masculinity threats, anti-LGBTQ+ attitudes, and moral judgments in digital contexts. His work spans experimental, cross-cultural, and meta-analytic approaches, often involving large international datasets. A central theme is how cultural beliefs about manhood contribute to social anxiety, prejudice, and behavioral disparities.

His scientific recognition includes:

• Researcher of the Year Award, APA Division 51 (2014)
• Jerome Krivanek Distinguished Teacher Award, USF (2015)

He actively mentors graduate students and is recruiting new advisees for the 2025 cohort. His research is supported by collaborative grants and involves interdisciplinary teams. He is also involved in curriculum development and leadership within the Social Psychology Program at USF.