Steve Loughnan is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Edinburgh's School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences. His research focuses on dehumanization, objectification, and human-animal relations, exploring how societal and psychological factors influence moral judgments and behaviors. He teaches undergraduate courses on social psychology, experimental/applied social psychology, and social class, and supervises PhD students in related fields. Research interests include: Dehumanization of social and ethnic outgroups Psychological impacts of objectification on women and marginalized groups Moral psychology of meat consumption and animal treatment Effects of economic inequality on societal attitudes Anthropomorphism in human-AI and human-pet relationships His publications analyze topics like the psychological mechanisms behind meat consumption paradoxes, the role of dehumanization in conflict scenarios, and the ethical implications of AI romance. He has received no explicitly listed awards but has been widely cited in social psychology domains. Teaching includes year-long programs on social psychology principles, experimental research methods, and social class analysis. Office hours are held weekly to support students. His work bridges theoretical social psychology with applied issues in global inequality, environmental ethics, and veterinary mental health.
Ariel Mosley serves as an Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department at the University of California Davis, where she leads the Mosley Lab focused on intergroup perceptions of cultural appropriation, stigma, and intersectionality. Her research examines how social categorization and identity structure judgments of intergroup inequalities through experimental design, mediation analyses, and meta-analyses. Her educational background includes a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (2020) and Masters of Arts in Psychology (2016) from the University of Kansas, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Philosophy minor (2014) from California State University Sacramento. As an undergraduate, she was a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, Sally Casanova Scholar, and Leadership Alliance Scholar. Professor Mosley's research investigates three core questions: how group-based biases influence responses to cultural appropriation; how intersectional stereotypes affect diverse individuals' experiences; and how marginalized groups adapt to discrimination. She combines social cognition, intergroup relations, and racial inequality frameworks to evaluate inequality from both target and perceiver perspectives. Her work spans social identity, objectification, dehumanization, structural racism in healthcare/law, and intersectional stigma. Analysis of her recent publications reveals consistent focus on cultural appropriation mechanisms, moral evaluations of intergroup interactions, and intersectional approaches to understanding bias. Her work increasingly integrates legal and policy implications while maintaining strong methodological rigor through experimental and meta-analytic approaches. University of California Davis Center for Multicultural Perspectives Faculty Scholar (2022-present) National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2016) National Science Foundation Graduate Opportunities Worldwide Fellowship (2018) International Society of Political Psychology Award (2022) Multiple awards from SPSSI, SSPC, and SSPSP (2017-2022) Professor Mosley actively mentors undergraduate research assistants through her Mosley Lab, where students participate in all research phases from conception to dissemination. Her lab has produced multiple conference presentations and co-authored publications. She has secured significant grant funding including NSF fellowships and institutional support through UC Davis's multicultural research center. Her teaching portfolio includes Social Psychology, Psychology of Law, and specialized courses on cultural appropriation and racism. The Mosley Lab maintains an active research program with undergraduate scholars and graduate affiliates investigating intergroup relations, social cognition, and diversity issues. The lab emphasizes community-based research and recently presented at the Society for Personality & Social Psychology Annual Convention, with plans to attend the 2026 Chicago conference. Professor Mosley's work bridges academic research and community engagement through public science communication initiatives.
Moa Jederström is a Medical Doctor and Clinical Researcher at Linköping University's Department of Health, Medicine and Care (HMV) , affiliated with the Athletics Research Center and Barnafrid (National Center for Knowledge on Violence Against Children). Her research focuses on youth athlete well-being, mental health in sports, and safeguarding children in sports environments. Doctor of Medical Science, 2025 ST Doctor (Specialist Registrar) in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2024 Medical Degree, 2021 Research Interests: Dr. Jederström's work explores health risks in young athletes, particularly in aesthetic sports like figure skating. Key research areas include: Sports injury prevention Mental health issues in youth athletes Nutritional challenges in competitive sports Safeguarding mechanisms in sports environments Scientific Contributions: Her 2025 thesis Physical and mental health among Swedish figure skaters revealed significant health risks intensified with age, while subsequent studies have examined: Social media's impact on athlete self-objectification Injury determinants in female skaters Intervention strategies for sports high schools Global child psychiatry workforce development Collaborations: Works with Prof. Toomas Timpka and Assist. Prof. Carolina Lundqvist on multiple projects, and collaborates with Monash University on disability sports research.
Dr. Elizabeth Behm-Morawitz is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Communication at the University of Missouri. Her research focuses on media effects, media psychology, and emerging technologies such as virtual reality, AI, and social media. She examines how media influences identity, health, and prosocial behavior, with a particular emphasis on marginalized groups and counter-narratives. Her academic background includes a Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Arizona. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on media theory, persuasion, and new technologies. Behm-Morawitz serves on editorial boards for Communication Monographs, Communication Studies, and Journal of Media Psychology, reflecting her leadership in the field. Her work spans multiple platforms, analyzing media's impact on body image, gender roles, and environmental attitudes through innovative frameworks like mediated counter-narratives. Her research highlights the intersection of technology and societal issues, such as using virtual reality for environmental advocacy or exploring how beauty filters affect self-perception. She also investigates media's role in shaping racial/ethnic identities and addressing diversity through education programs. Despite no listed awards or grants in the text, her prolific publication record and editorial roles underscore her significant contributions to media studies.
Prof. Danny Kaplan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Bar-Ilan University, Israel, and co-directs the Bar-Ilan Center for Cultural Sociology. His research bridges political sociology , gender studies , and digital culture , focusing on how friendship and public intimacy inform national solidarity . A leading scholar in masculinity ideologies and cultural models of fathering , he has held visiting positions at Columbia University and Yale University’s Center for Cultural Sociology. His research on social club sociability (e.g., Freemasonry, military rituals, reality TV) reveals how institutions transform strangers into symbolic friends, fostering collective loyalty. Recent work explores digital media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter) as platforms for mediated relationships and mass solidarity . Kaplan’s empirical studies in consumer masculinity and male body ideologies have been supported by an ISF grant , yielding tools like the Consumer Masculinity Inventory (CMI) and New Masculinity Inventory (NMI). Scientific awards include: ISF grant for research on involved fatherhood His articles span topics from nationalism as homosocial bonding to digital intimacy , with methodological emphasis on ethnography , media analysis , and quantitative models . As director of the Men’s Studies track in Bar-Ilan’s Gender Studies program, he mentors future scholars in gender dynamics and social movements .
Katja Kauer is an active academic researcher specializing in Gender and Diversity Studies at the Center for Gender and Diversity Research (ZGD) at Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen. She has held her current position as Associate Scientist since 2022, with additional affiliation at the University of Fribourg (Switzerland). Her academic career spans multiple institutions including the University of Magdeburg, where she served as Privatdozentin since 2012, and numerous teaching appointments across Europe. Dr. Kauer's research focuses on Gender Studies, Queer Theory, and Literary Analysis, with particular expertise in 18th-19th century literature, contemporary literature, and pop culture. Her work critically examines love discourses, recognition politics, and the intersections of gender with literature and media. She has developed innovative approaches to feminist and queer reading practices, as evidenced by her monographs 'Feministisch lesen' (2024) and 'Queer lesen' (2019). Her recent publications reveal a consistent engagement with heteronormativity critique, emotional capitalism, and the representation of gender in contemporary culture. The 15 most recent articles demonstrate her interdisciplinary approach, bridging literary analysis with sociological and philosophical perspectives on gender construction. Her work frequently examines how literary texts reflect and challenge dominant gender norms across historical periods. Dr. Kauer has supervised numerous graduate theses focusing on gender representation in literature, with topics ranging from social media feminism to representations of motherhood and female friendship. Her teaching portfolio includes courses on queer theory, gender studies, and literary analysis across multiple institutions. She is actively involved in organizing international conferences on gender topics, with upcoming events scheduled through 2026. Her current teaching for Summer Semester 2025 includes courses on 'Queering Barbie,' 'Love, Classism and the Capitalist Production of Emotions,' and 'Bodies In-Between.'
Renee Engeln is a Professor of Instruction in the Department of Psychology at Northwestern University's Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. She directs The Body and Media Lab (BAM), which conducts research on women's body image issues with a focus on cultural practices that shape women's relationships with their bodies. Her work bridges academic research and public discourse, as evidenced by her book "Beauty Sick" and regular media appearances. Dr. Engeln's primary research interests include: Objectification Theory and its applications across different social contexts and groups Reactions to idealized media images of women's bodies Online body positivity messaging and its psychological effects Negative body talk and its impact across demographics The relationship between exercise and body image Her research portfolio shows consistent focus on how cultural and media influences affect women's body image across various contexts. Recent work has examined social media's impact on body dissatisfaction, the effectiveness of body-positive interventions, and how self-objectification reduces the psychological benefits of exercise for women. Her studies often employ diverse methodologies including experimental designs, survey research, and scale development. Dr. Engeln has received recognition for her work including: Authoring the influential book "Beauty Sick: How the Cultural Obsession with Appearance Hurts Girls and Women" (2017), published in multiple languages A TEDx talk with over 500,000 views on YouTube Regular contributions to major media outlets including The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, BBC, and Huffington Post A popular Psychology Today blog focusing on body image issues As an educator and researcher, Dr. Engeln maintains an active laboratory (BAM) that trains students in research methods while investigating critical issues at the intersection of psychology, media, and women's health. Her work has significant implications for understanding how cultural forces shape women's psychological well-being and for developing interventions to promote healthier body image.
Stephanie J. Rowley is the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Education and Dean of the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Virginia. Previously, she served as Provost and Dean at Teachers College, Columbia University, and held leadership roles at the University of Michigan, including Interim Chair of Psychology and Associate Vice President for Research. Her research explores how parents, teachers, and peers shape adolescents' identities, with a focus on race, gender, and social class. Rowley’s work has been funded by NIH, NSF, and the Spencer Foundation. She lives in Charlottesville with her husband, Larry, whom she met while studying at UVA. Education: Ph.D., Developmental Psychology, University of Virginia (1997) M.A., University of Virginia (1995) B.A., The University of Michigan (1992) Research Interests: Dr. Rowley’s work examines the sociocultural factors influencing adolescents’ racial identity, gender socialization, and academic achievement. She investigates how systemic racism, media exposure, and family dynamics shape youth perspectives on inequality and self-worth. Her recent studies address racial stereotypes in education, the impact of social media on self-sexualization, and strategies to foster critical consciousness in Black families. Grants & Leadership: As Dean, she prioritizes interdisciplinary collaboration and graduate student support. Her grants include NIH-funded projects on STEM motivation and sociopolitical development in African American youth. She also leads initiatives like Youth-Nex and the Race and Public Education in the South project. Labs & Initiatives: Her work is associated with Youth-Nex and the Race and Public Education in the South initiative, focusing on equity in education and sociocultural development.
Damon R. Young is an Associate Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, holding office hours in Dwinelle Hall. His scholarly work critically examines intersections of media, sexuality, and subjectivity through film theory and digital culture lenses. His research spans film and media theory, global art cinema (with French and francophone focus), gender and sexuality studies, cultural studies, and digital media. Young investigates how media technologies—from 1950s cinema to Instagram—shape sexual identities and social relations, emphasizing queer and feminist perspectives on public/private boundaries. Recent publications reveal an analytical trajectory from cinematic studies to digital subjectivity, exemplified by his book Making Sex Public (2018) and current project After the Private Self . His work consistently challenges normative frameworks around sexuality and media representation. As a member of the Bully Bloggers collective, Young contributes to public queer theory discourse. The source text provided no details about advising activities or research grants.
Dr. Dawn M. Gondoli is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Notre Dame, located in Corbett Family Hall. She serves as the Developmental Area Director and leads the Socioemotional Development Lab, focusing on adolescent development, parenting practices, and psychological well-being within family systems. Her work emphasizes the interplay between stress, parenting, and developmental outcomes in typically developing families and those affected by ADHD. Dr. Gondoli holds a Ph.D. (1994), M.S. (1991), and B.A. (1986) in Psychology from the University of Arizona and SUNY Buffalo, respectively. Her research spans three core areas: (1) parenting and adolescent well-being, particularly in ADHD contexts; (2) body image and disordered eating among mothers, adolescents, and young adults, with a focus on mother-daughter dynamics and interoception; and (3) cognitive processes underlying ADHD and interoceptive awareness. Collaborations with Dr. Bradley Gibson advance interventions targeting cognitive and parent training for ADHD management. Her publications address topics such as maternal stress, ADHD symptomatology, sleep quality, and media’s impact on body image. Notable studies include randomized controlled trials for cognitive interventions and analyses of dyadic relationships in disordered eating. While no explicit awards are listed, her extensive peer-reviewed output underscores scholarly impact. Dr. Gondoli’s advising and grants focus on developmental and clinical research, though specific grant details are not provided. Her lab integrates interdisciplinary methods to address family and individual psychological health, emphasizing translational research to improve clinical outcomes.
Katarína Labudová serves as an Associate Professor at the Department of English Language and Literature within the Faculty of Arts and Letters at Catholic University in Ružomberok, Slovakia. She holds the additional role of Erasmus+ Department Coordinator, facilitating international academic exchanges. Dr. Labudová earned her PhD in Comparative Literatures in 2011 and maintains regular office hours for student consultations on Tuesdays from 10:30-12:00 by appointment. Her research interests center on Margaret Atwood's literary works, particularly examining food motifs within speculative fiction across Atwood's major dystopian narratives. Labudová has extended her scholarly focus to include Angela Carter's writings, fairy tale adaptations, biblical myth reconstructions, and the intersection of narrative theory with cultural studies. Her methodological approach combines feminist criticism, comparative literature analysis, and cultural anthropology perspectives to explore how literature reflects and critiques social power structures. Labudová's publication record reveals a consistent trajectory of scholarly engagement with Atwood's works from 2010-2022, culminating in her 2022 monograph Food in Margaret Atwood's Speculative Fiction and textbook Studying Margaret Atwood: Shifting the Boundaries of Genres . Her articles demonstrate increasing specialization in food symbolism within dystopian literature, with particular attention to how dietary restrictions function as mechanisms of patriarchal control. Recent work has expanded to analyze Slovak and Romani folk narrative traditions alongside contemporary literary adaptations. As an educator, Dr. Labudová teaches courses on British and Canadian literature, bringing her research expertise directly into the classroom. Her academic work bridges literary analysis with cultural critique, examining how narrative forms both reflect and challenge societal norms regarding gender, power, and environmental sustainability. Her contributions to Margaret Atwood scholarship have established her as a significant voice in contemporary Canadian literary studies within Central European academia.
Robyn Mallett is a Professor of Social Psychology and serves as the Vice Provost for Academic Programs and Planning at Loyola University Chicago, where she is a core faculty member in the Department of Psychology. Her leadership extends across academic administration and research innovation within the university structure. Her educational background includes: Post-Doctorate Fellowship at the University of Virginia Doctorate in Social Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University Master's in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of Alaska Anchorage Professor Mallett's research examines how individuals navigate social worlds through the lens of bias confrontation, intergroup relations, and environmental behavior. She investigates why people confront prejudice (particularly sexism), how expectations shape intergroup interactions, and how identity-focused interventions can promote sustainable behavior. Her methodological approach combines high-impact lab studies, daily diary research, and qualitative analysis of real-time interactions. Analysis of her recent publications (2021-2025) reveals three dominant trends: 1) The complex dynamics of bias confrontation—especially how humor mitigates perceived sexism and affects confrontation outcomes; 2) Interventions to foster belonging and retention for underrepresented faculty; 3) Identity-based environmental campaigns that reduce resource consumption without technological fixes. Her work consistently bridges theoretical social psychology with actionable social change. Professor Mallett has secured significant research funding, including a Russell Sage Foundation grant for her intergroup forecasting error research. She has co-edited influential volumes such as Confronting Prejudice and Discrimination (2019) and Moving Beyond Prejudice Reduction (2011), demonstrating her leadership in translating psychological science into practical frameworks. She leads an active research laboratory that conducts field experiments on campus sustainability initiatives and collaborates with Loyola's Institute for Environmental Sustainability. Current projects focus on faculty mentoring frameworks and the civic impact of intergroup dialogue, reflecting her commitment to applying psychological insights to institutional challenges.
Renee Galliher is a Professor and Director of Clinical Training for the Combined Clinical/Counseling Specialization in the Psychology Department at Utah State University’s Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services. Her research focuses on identity development processes at the intersection of cultural contexts, emphasizing multicultural issues, discrimination, and prejudice. She employs observational, self-report, and qualitative methodologies to explore ethnic, sexual, religious, and professional identities across developmental transitions. Her work examines risk and resilience in family/peer relationships and cultural influences, with a particular focus on marginalized groups. Recent publications highlight LGBTQ+ BIPOC resilience strategies, microaggression interventions, and Native American sovereignty issues. She advises students in clinical training programs and contributes to the field through validated scales like the LGBTQ+ Community Resilience and Inequity Scale. Notable research areas include intersectionality, identity negotiation, and community resilience. Her lab’s work bridges theory and practice, addressing systemic inequities through identity-focused interventions.
Dr. Becky Choma is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and Director of the Social and Political Psychology (SPP) Lab. She earned her PhD from Brock University and completed a SSHRC-funded postdoctoral fellowship. Her research focuses on intergroup attitudes, prejudice reduction, and sociopolitical ideologies. Education: PhD in Social/Personality Psychology, Brock University Her work, supported by SSHRC, CIHR, and Canadian Heritage, explores how ideologies, emotions, and context affect intergroup tolerance, addressing inequalities related to gender, race, religion, and weight. Recent publications span sociopolitical ideologies, pandemic behavior, social media, and dietary-climate interactions. Her scientific awards include SSHRC PhD and Postdoctoral fellowships, and a 2014 SPPS open-access recognition. She mentors students and collaborates on interdisciplinary studies, with over 60 peer-reviewed publications.
Dr. Timothy Welsh is a full-time Professor in the Action & Attention Lab at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education , where he also serves as Associate Dean, Research since 2023. With cross-appointments from the Faculty of Physical Education and Health, his work bridges cognitive neuroscience and motor behavior research. Academic Background Ph.D. in Human Biodynamics (McMaster University, 2002) M.Sc. in Human Biodynamics (McMaster University, 1999) B.P.H.E. in Physical and Health Education (University of Toronto, 1997) Dr. Welsh's research explores neural mechanisms of goal-directed actions across typical and neurodiverse populations. His lab investigates joint action dynamics , self-objectification effects on motor performance , and cross-reality sensorimotor adaptation , with significant focus on autism and developmental coordination disorder. Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal systematic differences in motor imagery between autistic and non-autistic adults , gender-specific learning patterns , and cross-modal sensory integration challenges in mixed reality environments . These studies demonstrate his lab's expertise in combining behavioral experimentation , EEG analysis , and computational tool development like TAT-HUM. Scientific Recognition Franklin Henry Young Scientist Award Early Distinguished Career Award (NASSP) Outstanding Graduate Supervision Award As principal investigator on 15 active grants (2015-2027), including projects on digital health platforms for concussion rehabilitation and AI-assisted VR learning modules , Welsh's work impacts both basic science and applied interventions. His lab trains students at all levels through KPE 362 (undergraduate) and KIN 5514 (graduate) courses.
