Dr. Keiko McCullough

What kind of research does Dr. McCullough do?

• As a researcher and methodologist working across both quantitative and qualitative approaches, Dr. McCullough’s scholarship integrates critical theories, media studies, and psychology to critically examine media communications and their psychological effects. Their research is organized into three key strands:

1. Quantitative – They investigate the relationships between specific types of media content and psychological and mental health outcomes among marginalized communities.

2. Methodological – They advance the field of Critical Discursive Psychology by integrating visual methods to analyze visual media communications (e.g., social media images).

3. Qualitative – They explore how gender identities and ideologies are constructed in visual media and how these constructions intersect with broader systems of inequality.

■ As principal investigator, and as a co-author, Dr. McCullough often publishes within Asian American psychology and gender studies (e.g., men and masculinities). 

■ Get to know Dr. McCullough via their recent podcast episode! They discuss their research, professional journey, and advice for graduate students.

Select Publications:

■ McCullough, K. M., & Lester, J. N. (2024). ‘Tell me what to do. Gabriel?’: gender hegemony in the film Far from the Madding Crowd (2015). Feminist Review, 138(1), 99-119. https://doi.org/10.1177/01417789241281877

■ McCullough, K. M. (2023). Critical discursive psychology and visual displays of gender. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 21(4), 483–511. https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2023.2243850

■ McCullough, K. M., & Lester, J. N. (2022). Beyond talk and text: Visuality and critical discursive psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 20(1), 74–99. https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2022.2090468

■ McCullough, K. M., & Lester, J. N. (2021). Masculinities made visible: A critical discursive psychology study of Instagram photos. Psychology of Men & Masculinities, 22(4), 639–648. https://doi.org/10.1037/men0000364

■ McCullough, K. M., Wong, Y. J., & Deng, K. (2021). Exploring the connections between watching Asian American YouTubers, racial identity, and self-esteem. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 12(1), 41–51. https://doi.org/10.1037/aap0000218

■ Wong, Y. J., & McCullough, K. M. (2021). The intersectional prototypicality model: Understanding the discriminatory experiences of Asian American women and men. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 12(2), 87–99. https://doi.org/10.1037/aap0000208

■ McCullough, K. M., Wong, Y. J., & Stevenson, N. J. (2020). Female video game players and the protective effect of feminist identity against internalized misogyny. Sex Roles, 82, 266-276. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-019-01055-

What would I be doing in their lab?

• To ensure that students have the opportunity to be highly involved in multiple research projects, and to focus on providing quality mentorship, Dr. McCullough keeps their lab fairly small. 

• Lab members are expected to contribute to the lab for at least 1 full academic year, attend all lab meetings (held as needed, ranging from weekly to monthly), and independently complete assigned research tasks. 

• You may be a good fit for Dr. McCullough’s lab if: 

  • You have unique ideas to contribute in relation to critical methods, media studies, psychology, and their intersections

  • You’re interested in critical methodologies and/or visual research methods (both quantitative and qualitative)

  • You’re interested in an academic research career/have a strong and genuine interest in research

  • You’re interested in assisting with research projects at all phases of the research process (e.g., from literature review to manuscript writing)

  • You enjoy collaborating with others and are open to sharing and receiving feedback

  • You’re responsive to email, timely, and organized

• Students in Dr. McCullough’s lab will engage in the following activities depending upon the needs of specific projects: complete IRB submissions, literature review, measure selection, scale development, data collection/recruitment, interview transcription, data analysis, craft conference presentations, and manuscript writing.

Can I participate in their lab without attending lab meetings? 

• No, only students who regularly attend the lab meetings can participate (see above).

How do I join?

• To assess fit with the lab, please send a detailed email to Dr. McCullough (keiko.mccullough@du.edu) with:

  • your research interests

  • how you envision yourself contributing to the lab

  • your availability

• A follow-up discussion about overall fit may be scheduled via zoom or in person. 

• Open Lab Meetings: For those interested in learning more about the lab and current projects (without committing to lab membership), Dr. McCullough opens their lab meetings to all students once or twice a year. If you are interested in attending an “open” lab meeting, please send Dr. McCullough your name and email address with the subject line “Open Lab Meeting.”