معرفی
Melissa Pavetich is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Sciences at Heriot-Watt University. Her research focuses on social psychology topics such as prejudice reduction, intergroup contact, meta-perceptions, and dehumanization. She holds a PhD and has been actively involved in research since 2019, supervising PhD students.
Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to reducing inequalities and promoting peaceful societies. Key research areas include understanding intergroup threats, Islamophobia antecedents, and evaluating interventions like meta-humanization to mitigate prejudice.
Recent publications (2020-2024) explore topics ranging from offline social addiction questionnaires to the psychological impacts of digital vs. face-to-face intergroup interactions. Her research has been cited over 80 times and has garnered media attention through 18 news outlets and social media engagement.
- Received grants and awards including Athena Swann Grant (2025), Pump-Priming Award (2023), and Research Culture Champion (2024)
- Active in academic service: Ethics Committee Reviewer at Heriot-Watt University (2024-2025)
- Presented at international conferences including the International Psychology Conference (Dubai, 2025)
Her research emphasizes practical applications in policy-making, education, and community programs to foster social cohesion.
