Patrick Dwyer

Patrick Dwyer serves as Associate Professor of Philanthropic Studies at Indiana University's Lilly Family School of Philanthropy in Indianapolis, where he has held faculty position since 2017 following a postdoctoral fellowship at UNC Chapel Hill.

His academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Social Psychology from University of Minnesota
• Postdoctoral Fellowship in Social Psychology from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• B.A. in Psychology from Vassar College

Dwyer's research investigates the psychological mechanisms driving philanthropic behavior, with emphasis on emotional factors (particularly gratitude), personality traits, social influences, and experimental methodology. His work bridges fundamental psychological principles with practical fundraising applications, examining how interpersonal dynamics and cognitive processes shape donor motivations and engagement strategies.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals consistent focus on gratitude's role in prosocial behavior, trust dynamics in diverse giving contexts, and social identity's impact on disaster response philanthropy. His experimental approach combines rigorous quantitative methods with real-world nonprofit applications, particularly in gender-focused giving and online engagement.

His scholarly impact is recognized through:

• Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award (2022)
• Greater Good Magazine's Top 10 Insights (2020)
• Nonprofit Management & Leadership's Most Popular Articles distinction (2010-2019)
• John Templeton Foundation Dissertation Research Award

Dwyer teaches graduate courses in donor behavior, experimental research methods, and institutional fundraising alongside undergraduate instruction in philanthropic studies and donor engagement, contributing to both academic training and professional development in the nonprofit sector.