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Senior Analyst, Strategic Research, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

My research explores how and why people support their existing sociopolitical systems--even in cases when they seem unfair or illegitimate. More specifically, I am interested in how basic cognitive tools that we use early in life lead us to believing that our societies are fair and just. I've on projects that investigate the early roots of system justification, political conservatism, and nationalism.

I received my Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Chicago, and my M.A. and Ph.D in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I currently work as a Senior Analyst at EAB, conducting syndicated research for higher education institutions.

Experience

  • 2017–present
    Senior Analyst, Strategic Reserach, EAB
  • 2012–2017
    Doctoral Researcher, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Education

  • 2017 
    University of Illinois a Urbana-Champaign, Ph.D in Psychology
  • 2014 
    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, M.A. in Psychology
  • 2012 
    University of Chicago, B.A. in Psychology

Publications

  • 2017
    Investigating the origins of political views: Biases in explanation predict conservative attitudes in children and adults, Developmental Science
  • 2017
    Memory accessibility shapes explanation: Testing key claims of the inherence heuristic account, Memory and Cognition
  • 2015
    An early-emerging explanatory heuristic promotes support for the status quo, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

Grants and Contracts

  • 2013
    National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
    Role:
    Funding Source:
    National Science Foundation

Professional Memberships

  • Cognitive Development Society
  • Society for Personality and Social Psychology
  • Society for Research in Child Development

Honours

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship