Steven Spencer

Dr. Steven Spencer is a Professor of Social Psychology at The Ohio State University, holding the Robert K. and Dale J. Weary Chair in Social Psychology. He earned his AB from Hope College (1988) and PhD from the University of Michigan (1993), mentored by Claude Steele. His research focuses on motivation, identity, and implicit processes, particularly their roles in stereotyping, prejudice, and academic performance. Key areas include stereotype threat, STEM equity for women, systemic racism perceptions, and interventions to mitigate social identity threats.

His awards include the Gordon Allport Prize (2011) for work on latent ability and the 2008 Excellence in Graduate Supervision. Spencer has contributed to major journals like *Journal of Personality and Social Psychology* and *Annual Review of Psychology*. His lab explores topics such as Black women’s identity advocacy, confronting prejudiced behavior, and fostering STEM engagement for girls. He actively mentors graduate students and advocates for inclusive academic environments.

Spencer’s interventions, such as those improving women’s engineering experiences, highlight his commitment to applied social psychology. His current work addresses authoritarian leadership’s impact on belief systems and the effects of organizational history narratives on marginalized groups.