Riana Brown

Dr. Riana Brown is an Assistant Professor in Social Psychology at The Ohio State University's Department of Psychology, within the College of Arts and Sciences. Her research examines responses to social problems like inequality and climate change, focusing on psychological barriers to addressing social injustices. She holds a PhD from New York University (2023), an MS from Vrije University Amsterdam (2016), and a BS from the University of Miami (2014).

Education:

• PhD in Social Psychology, New York University, 2023
• MS in Social Psychology Research, Vrije University Amsterdam, 2016
• BS in Psychology and International Studies, University of Miami, 2014

Research Interests: Dr. Brown investigates intergroup relations, mechanisms of social change, and communication strategies to foster support for addressing systemic issues. Her work bridges theory and practice to understand how individuals and societies navigate complex social problems.

Awards & Honors:

• 2024 SESP Dissertation Award Finalist
• 2023 NYU Fryer Thesis Award
• Multiple fellowships and grants from NYU, VU Amsterdam, and the U.S. Department of State
• Fulbright Fellow in the Netherlands (2014-2015)

Grants & Funding: Extensive support including Dean’s Dissertation Fellowship ($30k), Friends of Katzell Fellowship ($1.5k), and multiple travel/conference awards.