Psy.D.
Memorial University, St. John's, NL, CAN, Anticipated 2029
Ph.D. Psychology
Western University, London, ON, CAN, 2021
M.Sc. Psychology
Western University, London, ON, CAN, 2015
B.Sc. Honours Psychology – Research Specialist, Minor in Biology
Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, CAN, 2013
Current Appointments
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Department of Psychology, Memorial University:
Introduction to Psychology (1000), September 2025 – Present
Previous Appointments
Research Consultancy Coordinator
Network for Economic and Social Trends (NEST), Western University, August 2022 – July 2025
Temporary Research & Assessment Associate
Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB), June 2022 – May 2025
Affiliate Member
Centre for Research on Migration and Ethnic Relations (MER), Western University, December 2022 – August 2024
Adjunct Research Professor
Department of Psychology, Western University, November 2022 – August 2024
Research Consultant
Faculty of Law, Western University, June 2021 – December 2023
Production Assistant
Sprinter Productions 8 Ltd, May 2022
Research Officer
Faculty of Social Science, Western University, September 2021 – April 2022
Research Consultant
Department of Psychology, Western University, February 2021 – June 2021
Graduate Student Assistant
Faculty of Law, Western University, May 2019 – May, 2020
Undergraduate Course Instructor
Department of Psychology, Western University:
Psychology of Thinking—Distance Studies (3130); September – December 2016; May – August 2017, 2018
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Department of Psychology, Western University:
Development of the Mathematical Brain (3443), September – December 2018
History of Psychology (3950), January – April 2018
Psychology of Thinking (3130), September – December 2015, January – April 2017
Psychology and the Arts (3912), January – April 2016
Introductory Psychology (1000), September 2014 – April 2015
Cognitive Psychology (2135), September 2013 – April 2014
Teaching Assistant
Department of Political Science, Wilfrid Laurier University:
Introductory Methods in Political Science II (218), January – April 2013
Introductory Methods in Political Science I (217), September – December 2012
Academic Volunteer Activities
Poster Judge
Pathways to Prosperity (P2P) National Conference, November 2024
Research Consultant
Faculty of Law, Western University, September 2020 – May 2021
Undergraduate Outreach Symposium
Department of Psychology, Western University, February 2016
Research Assistant
Department of Psychology, Western University, May – August 2012
Supervision
Graduate Student Assistants
A total of 27 students at Western University between 2023 – 2025
Western University M.A. in Research for Policy and Evaluation (MRPE) Internship
Sweta Thakur, 2024
Vinessa Marie Hardy, 2023
Mohammad Jawad Zawulistani, 2023
Western University Undergraduate Summer Research Internship (USRI)
Jodi Keizer, 2023
Undergraduate Thesis
Emma Guimaraes, Western University, 2018 – 2019
Taylor Goodfield, Western University, 2017 – 2018
Undergraduate Independent Study Project
Jodi Williams, Western University, 2019 – 2020
Lauren Martyn, Western University, 2018 – 2019
Undergraduate Research Assistants
A total of 12 students at Western University between 2014 – 2023
Grants and Contracts
Esses, V. (Principal Investigator [PI]) & Nielsen, E. G. (2025). Community assets and gaps in Sarnia-Lambton. County of Lambton, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). $14,605.
Nielsen, E. G. (PI) & Esses, V. (2024 – 2025). A qualitative look at serious legal problems – Muslims in London and Toronto, Ontario. Department of Justice Canada. $35,000.
Esses, V. (PI) & Nielsen, E. G. (2024 – 2025). Community capacity and perceptions of the London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership (LMLIP). City of London, funded by IRCC. $3,500.
Esses, V. (PI) & Nielsen, E. G. (2024 – 2025). Survey of newcomers in London & Middlesex. City of London, funded by IRCC. $43,508.
Stephenson, L. (PI), Alcantara, C., & Nielsen, E. G. (2024 – 2025). Understanding and advancing youth civic engagement in Canada. Max Bell Foundation. $124,540.
Esses, V. (PI) & Nielsen, E. G. (2024). Anti-hate projects on myth busting and microaggressions. City of London, funded by the Province of Ontario. $21,082.
Esses, V. (PI) & Nielsen, E. G. (2023). Understanding hate in Ontario. Mosaic Institute, funded by the Province of Ontario. $94,692.
Esses, V. (PI) & Nielsen, E. G. (2023). Resources for Newcomers and Refugees in the South Fraser region. DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society, funded by the British Columbia Ministry of Municipal Affairs. $40,000.
Scholarships
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Postgraduate Scholarship – Doctoral (NSERC PGS-D)
$42,000, National, Western University, September 2017 – August 2019
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
$15,000, Provincial, Western University, September 2014 – August 2015
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master's (SSHRC CGS-M)
$17,500, National, Western University, September 2013 – August 2014
Laurier In-Course Scholarship
$1,500, Institutional, Wilfrid Laurier University, September 2012
Walter Metzger Memorial Bursary
$1,000, Institutional, Wilfrid Laurier University, September 2011
Laurier In-Course Scholarship
$750, Institutional, Wilfrid Laurier University, September 2011
3M Canada Company Scholarship
$2,500, National, Wilfrid Laurier University, September 2009
Wilfrid Laurier University Entrance Scholarship
$2,000, Institutional, Wilfrid Laurier University, September 2009
Queen Elizabeth II Aiming for the Top Scholarship
$100, Provincial, Wilfrid Laurier University, September 2009
Western Psychological Association T.A. of the Year
Institutional, Western University, November 2015
Dean’s Honour Roll
Institutional; Wilfrid Laurier University; November 2011, 2012, 2013
(* indicates a student co-author that I supervised)
Interests
Broadly, I am interested in the effects that environmental, situational, and individual factors have on aspects of wellness and cognition. Other specific topics of interest include mental health, mindfulness, meditation, decision making, problem solving, creativity, and category learning.
Skills
R, SPSS, NVivo, Qualtrics, PsychoPy, Microsoft Office
Study design and administration
Quantitative and qualitative data analysis, interpretation, and presentation
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Telfer, T. G. W., Nielsen, E. G., Ahola Kohut, S., & Weisbaum, E. (2025). Enhancing lawyers' well-being and competencies beyond the traditional law school curriculum: The impact of mindfulness education on law students. UBC Law Review, 58(1). https://canlii.ca/t/7nnlt
Nielsen, E. G. & Minda, J. P. (2021). The mindful lawyer: Investigating the effects of two online mindfulness programs on self-reported well-being in the legal profession. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 63(12). e871 – e882 doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002393
Nielsen, E. G. & Minda, J. P. (2019). Problem solving and decision making. In D. S. Dunn (Ed.), Oxford bibliographies in psychology. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/OBO/9780199828340-0246
Forthcoming Publications and Preprints
Agoston Villalba, Z.,* Eloulabi, R.,* Nielsen, E. G., & Esses, V. M. (In preparation). Discrimination experienced at settlement services in Southwestern Ontario.
Qiu, T. T.,* Nielsen, E. G., Guimaraes, E.,* & Minda, J. P. (2022). Trait, but not state mindfulness improves resistance to cognitive biases. Preprint. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/na3pt
Nielsen, E. G., Nadler, R. T., & Minda, J. P. (2018). The relationship between depressive symptoms, hypomanic symptoms, mood, and category learning. Preprint. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/yqxtn
Reports
Lammert, J.,* Oshiogbele, G.,* Nielsen, E. G., & Esses, V.M. (2025). Survey of newcomers to London-Middlesex (Part A): A study of the experiences, challenges, and strengths of permanent residents in London-Middlesex. Report prepared for the LMLIP and the City of London.
Lammert, J.,* Oshiogbele, G.,* Nielsen, E. G., & Esses, V.M. (2025). Survey of newcomers to London-Middlesex (Part B): A study of the experiences, challenges, and strengths of temporary residents in London-Middlesex. Report prepared for the LMLIP and the City of London.
Mpinda, I.,* Nielsen, E. G., & Esses, V.M. (2025). London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership: Community capacity and perceptions of the LMLIP. Report prepared for the LMLIP.
Agoston Villalba, Z.,* Eloulabi, R.,* Nielsen, E. G., Esses, V. M., Van Klink, A.,* Ofori, D. O.,* Pienaah, C. K. A.,* Qiu, N.,* Thakur, S.,* Thapa Budhathoki, R.,* Waseem, H.,* & Yakushko, V.* (2024). Discrimination and other challenges experienced by racialized newcomers when accessing settlement services in Southwestern Ontario. Report prepared for IRCC.
DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society, Elghazali, X.,* Chavarria, J., Manocchi, M., & Nielsen, E. G. Food accessibility for newcomers living in British Columbia.
Mosaic Institute, Sadika, B.,* Zawulistani, M. J.,* Reyes, C. M.,* Martin, H.,* Grey, C., Mendes, K., & Nielsen, E. G. (2024). Understanding hate in Ontario. https://www.mosaicinstitute.ca/understanding-hate-in-ontario
Presentations
Agoston Villalba, Z.,* Eloulabi, R.,* & Nielsen, E. G. (February 2025). Discrimination and other challenges experienced by racialized newcomers when accessing settlement services in Southwestern Ontario. Talk presented at the 2025 LMLIP All Are Welcome Here event.
Agoston Villalba, Z.,* Eloulabi, R.,* & Nielsen, E. G. (September 2024). Discrimination and other challenges experienced by racialized newcomers when accessing settlement services in Southwestern Ontario. Virtual talk presented as part of the Pathways to Prosperity (P2P) Virtual Workshop Series. https://youtu.be/-UBQSFhi7fQ&t=0s
Sadika, B.,* Mansell, R., Grey, C., Mendes, K., Zawulistani, M. J.,* Reyes, C. M.,* Martin, H.,* & Nielsen, E. G. (June 2024). Exploring the landscape of hate: An intersectional analysis of experiences in Ontario. Virtual talk presented at the 2024 Canadian Sociological Association (CSA) Conference, Montreal, QC, CAN.
Telfer, T. G. W. & Nielsen, E. G. (May 2024). Enhancing lawyers' well-being and competencies beyond the traditional law school curriculum: The impact of mindfulness education on law students. Talk presented at the 2024 Canadian Association of Law Teachers (CALT) Conference, Fredericton, NB, CAN.
Telfer, T. G. W. & Nielsen, E. G. (February 2024). Enhancing lawyers' well-being and competencies beyond the traditional law school curriculum: The impact of mindfulness education on law students. Virtual talk presented at the 2024 Wellness for Law Forum, Melbourne, VIC, AUS. https://youtu.be/f0NPWGG4CpM
Nielsen, E. G. (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024). Psychological effects of mindfulness among legal professionals. Invited talk for the Mindfulness and the Legal Profession course at Western University, London, ON, CAN.
Martyn, L. H.,* Nielsen, E. G., & Minda, J. P. (June 2019). Using mindfulness meditation to improve the well-being of graduate students. Poster presented at the 29th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour, and Cognitive Science (CSBBCS), Waterloo, ON, CAN.
Nielsen, E. G., Cho, J., Wallis, L. E., Martyn, L.,* & Minda, J. P. (May 2019). Wellness in the workplace: A 30-day mindfulness program reduced stress and improved mood in lawyers. Poster presented at the 31st Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science (APS), Washington, DC, USA.
Guimaraes, E.,* Nielsen, E., & Minda, J. P. (May 2019). The relationship between trait mindfulness and cognitive biases and heuristics. Poster presented at the 49th Annual Ontario Psychology Undergraduate Thesis Conference (AOPUTC), Waterloo, ON, CAN.
Nielsen, E. G., Cho, J., Zhang, M.,* & Minda, J. P. (May 2017). The mindful lawyer: Mindfulness meditation improves the emotional well-being of lawyers. Poster presented at the 29th Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science (APS), Boston, MA, USA.
Minda, J. P., Nadler, R. T., Rabi, R. R., & Nielsen, E. G. (November 2015). Context, category learning, and cognitive control: Environmental context affects the learning of rule-described and non rule-described categories. Talk presented at the 56th Annual Meeting of the Psychonomic Society, Chicago, IL, USA.
Nielsen, E. G., & Minda, J. P. (May 2015). Creativity in the coffee shop: Ambient noise may improve performance on creativity tasks, but not on categorization tasks. Poster presented at the 27th Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science (APS), New York, NY, USA.
Nielsen, E. G., Rabi, R. R., & Minda, J. P. (March 2015). When the mind is exhausted, performance suffers on rule-based tasks. Poster presented at the Inaugural Meeting of the International Convention of Psychological Science (ICPS), Amsterdam, NL.
Nielsen, E. G., & Minda, J. P. (February 2015). The effects of ambient noise on cognitive functioning. Poster presented at the 44th Annual Conference of the Lake Ontario Visionary Establishment (LOVE), Niagara Falls, ON, CAN.
Nielsen, E. G., & Minda, J. P. (July 2014). The coffee shop effect: Investigating the relationship between ambient noise and cognitive functioning. Poster presented at the 24th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour, and Cognitive Science (CSBBCS), Toronto, ON, CAN.
Interviews
Spence, W. (2020, August 5). Former resident offers advice about how to look for scientific sources. The Signpost.
Theses
Doctoral Dissertation
Nielsen, E. G. (2020). Moving beyond the mat: Exploring the application of mindfulness training in professional and educational settings [Western University]. Western University Open Repository. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14721/30514
Master’s Thesis
Nielsen, E. G. (2015). The coffee shop effect: Investigating the relationship between ambient noise and cognitive flexibility [Western University]. Western University Open Repository. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14721/36187
Undergraduate Honours Thesis
Nielsen, E. G. (2013). Measuring interpersonal behaviour continuously: The effects of multitasking on Sadler et al.’s joystick method [Wilfrid Laurier University].
Other
Manuscript compilation for Beattie, B., Dagher, C., & Telfer, T. G. W. (Eds.). (2024). The right not to remain silent: The truth about mental health in the legal profession. LexisNexis Canada.
Bhaheeratha, A.,* Oshiogbele, G.,* Camilo Prieto Calixto, J.,* Nielsen, E. G., & Esses, V. (2024). Resources for busting myths about immigrants and combatting microaggressions. Prepared by the NEST Research Consultancy for the City of London in partnership with the LMLIP.
Workshop Materials:
Busting Myths About Immigrants’ Employment in Canada
Busting Myths About Immigrants and International Students with Regards to Education in Canada
Beyond the Headlines: Debunking Myths About the Impact of Immigration on Housing in Canada
Navigating the Invisible: Identifying and Addressing Microaggressions in Everyday Life
Infographics:
The Harmful Effects of Microaggressions
Responding to Microaggressions
Elghazali, X.,* Keizer, J.,* Rana, F.,* Chavarria, J., Manocchi, M., & Nielsen, E. G. (2024). Infosheets for newcomers and service providers in British Columbia. Prepared by the NEST Research Consultancy for DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society.
Interim Federal Health Program (Provider Pamphlet)
Interim Federal Health Program – Information for Refugees & Protected Persons