I am a SSHRC postdoctoral research fellow at Ohio State University. My main research focus concerns how people turn to conformity or validation when their perception of reality is inconsistent with those around them.  I explore what sort of behaviours this tendency leads to and when one option is preferred over the other. 

In this work I focus on how people's epistemic needs are entwined with their belonging needs. I have a particular interest in social validation/invalidation, and the role it plays in both fostering belonging for minoritized individuals as well as the role it plays in the spread of misinformation and extremism.

Beyond validation, I am also interested in how people think about change and the ways in which societal narratives can shape or inform their perceptions. This encompasses both understanding the role of cultural stories and narratives as well exploring misperceptions of past and future change.

Click the 'information' tab to read more about this work or feel free to contact me if you are interested through any of the links below.