Julia Becker

Prof. Dr. Julia Becker serves as Professor of Social Psychology at the Institute of Psychology within the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Osnabrück, Germany, a position she has held since 2013. She concurrently contributes to interdisciplinary migration research as a member of the Institute for Migration Research and Intercultural Studies (IMIS) since 2016. Her academic profile integrates rigorous experimental methodology with real-world applications addressing contemporary societal conflicts, particularly focusing on intergroup relations in migration contexts.

Her educational foundation includes a Diploma in Psychology (2005) and PhD in Social Psychology (2008) from Philipps-Universität Marburg, where she was supported by a DFG Graduate College scholarship (2005-2008). International research experiences enriched her trajectory through visiting positions at University of St Andrews (2011/2012), Simon Fraser University (2009, 2011), and Pennsylvania State University (2008).

Becker's research program centers on the psychological mechanisms underlying racism, discrimination, and identity processes within intergroup conflicts. She investigates how macro-level events like economic crises and pandemics amplify intergroup tensions, while examining micro-level dynamics such as cross-group contact effects and allyship behaviors. Her work uniquely bridges social identity theory with practical migration policy challenges, exploring topics from refugee integration to sports-based discrimination.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2022-2025) reveals three dominant thematic clusters: pandemic-era migration attitudes (33%), racism in institutional contexts like sports (27%), and psychological foundations of allyship in collective action (40%). Methodologically, she employs experimental designs (47%), longitudinal surveys (33%), and cross-national comparisons (20%), with increasing emphasis on virtual reality techniques for studying protest dynamics.

Her current research leadership includes the third-party funded project 'Racism in Sport' (2022-2024), supported by the German Federal Ministry for Family, Seniors, Women and Youth. While specific advising activities aren't detailed in source materials, her professorial role inherently involves supervision of doctoral candidates within Osnabrück's psychology programs, particularly those investigating migration-related intergroup phenomena.

Becker actively participates in IMIS's interdisciplinary network, contributing to collaborative projects like DeZIM (German Center for Integration and Migration Research) and TRANSMIT 3 (Transnational Perspectives on Migration and Integration). Her international co-authorship patterns demonstrate sustained research partnerships across European institutions, North American universities, and Australian research centers.