Our team

Director: Lia Daniels, PhD. I came to the University of Alberta in 2008, after completing a PhD in social psychology at the University of Manitoba. I am a quantitative researcher by training, although over the years I have developed a pragmatic approach to research and have applied a wide range of research methodologies. I work primarily from the theoretical perspectives of mindsets, achievement goal theory, control-value theory of emotions, attribution theory, and self-determination theory. I am excited to bring together graduate students and provide them with excellent research opportunities at the University of Alberta and potentially abroad.

My current research projects address the intersection of motivation and emotions and summative assessment practices with the aim to improve wellbeing through intrinsically motivating assessment. 

Please note: I am NOT recruiting MEd or PhD students for Fall 2026. 

Access Dr. Daniels' full CV here 

Google Scholar Link

Julia Farmer, School and Clinical Child Psychology: After completing her BSc in Psychology at Dalhousie, Julia moved from Nova Scotia to Alberta to pursue a Master’s degree and is staying at UofA for her PhD. She is interested in motivation and emotions and how these factor into observable behaviours. She is interested in the impact of motivational home environments on extracurricular behaviours particularly leisure reading.

Bryce Dueck, School and Clinical Child Psychology:  Bryce has extensive experience working with children of various abilities in both community and educational settings. She is passionate about mental health awareness and about challenging the stigma surrounding anxiety and related disorders in school age children. Her dissertation deals with meaning-making in psychological practice. 

Sierra Tulloch, School and Clinical Child Psychology:  Sierra has worked alongside children and adolescents in various sport, community, and educational settings. She is curious how young people perceive body-image, and is passionate about their intertwined physical and mental health. 

Kendra Wells, Psychological Studies in Education:  Kendra has worked with youth as both a teacher and coach. She is interested in exploring the impact that connections with other people has on motivation. She’s passionate about researching connections between students and teaching with a particular interest in emotions and efficacy. 

Tetiana Polishchuk, Psychological Studies in Education:  Tania received her education as a counseling psychologist in Ukraine and is currently doing her PhD in the PSE program at the U of A. She is interested in humanistic and social psychology and how we are motivated to grow. Tanya is passionate about learning how inspiration can help empower people.

Michelle Brady, School and Clinical Child Psychology:  Michelle has supported children alongside school-based teams in various education settings. She values equity and appreciates the complexity of inclusive learning environments. Her experience elicits her research interest in classroom dynamics and passion for supporting students and teachers alike.

Amanda Wagner, Psychological Studies in Education: Amanda is returning to her PhD after exploring her career as a teacher, in education technology sales, and as a fiercely ambitious entrepreneur. Her research focuses on understanding ambition and the experiences of ambition for women-identifying entrepreneurs. Amanda is an entrepreneur herself, building her brand, AW Speaks Inc. as a speaker, business strategist, and podcaster, and has been working with ambitious entrepreneurs and leaders since 2017. She is doing a focussed PhD while running her business with the goal of infusing scholarship into thought leadership and adding evidence to how we think about and understand ambition.

Adam Beeby, Counselling Psychology: Adam has gained valuable experience working with adults in his master’s degree counselling and assessment practicums. He has especially enjoyed working with university student populations with concerns related to academic stress. Adam is eager to gain further experience in his PhD and is looking forward to developing as both a student practitioner and a researcher. His research focus is on perfectionism and how it interacts with student motivation and emotion.