At the Applied Moral Psychology Lab at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, we investigate applications of moral psychology findings & run experiments examining basic questions about moral cognition and social-moral psychology of language. See research page for more info. Our topics and collaborators are multidisciplinary, including cognitive science, philosophy, linguistics, sub-fields of psychology (social, clinical, political, and moral psychology), neuroscience, and organizational behavior.
People
Lab Coordinator
Cristina Leone Cristina graduated from the University of Toronto as a double-major in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science with strong interests in causal cognition and clinical psychology. Her prior research experience includes assisting with coordination of clinical trials using neurofeedback at an anxiety clinic, and running studies on social connectedness and quality of life among World War 2 and Korean War veterans at Sunnybrook Veterans’ Hospital. Before her position as Lab Coordinator, she was a Research Assistant in the the Applied Moral Psychology lab and contributed to data analysis, manuscript editing, experiment programming, and literature reviews. Cristina begins her doctoral research this Fall in Dr. David Lagnado’s Causal Cognition Lab at University College London.
Research Assistants
Marko Kljajic is a PhD student at the University of Toronto in Political Science and Government, who previously earned his Masters in Global Affairs at U of T’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. He has a Bachelor’s in Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction from Western University, where he graduated with distinction for his research on rescuers in the Rwandan genocide. Marko works on a number of projects including text analysis projects on sexual violence, and studies on causal attribution and moral values, and the role of values in attitudes about free speech.
Camilla Balbis is a Master of Global Affairs candidate (2nd year) at U of T’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. Completed studies at the University of Oxford after graduating with Honours from BA in International Relations and Political Science. Enthusiastic about domestic security, specifically about the process of radicalization across the political spectrum, and the implications of AI developments on the future of intelligence. Currently working as a research analyst for a Toronto- based think tank and completing her independent research on the rise of right-wing extremism.
Natalie Boychuk Natalie is a 4th year undergraduate; following receipt of her degree from the University of Toronto in Peace, Conflict, and Justice studies, Natalie will pursue her Master’s in Public Health next year. Natalie’s previous research experience included deep survey of the clinical literature on PTSD in low-income contexts. She is involved in a large-scale qualitative project examining the features involved in entrepreneurial activity around the world.
Michael Warchol Michael is a 4th year undergraduate double majoring in Political Science and European Studies and has a keen interest in humanitarian action and emergency management. He is a qualified first aid instructor and has previously worked as a student border services officer at Pearson International Airport. Following receipt of his degree from the University of Toronto, Michael is looking forward to using his experience in medical response, law enforcement, and high-pressure environments to help address the problem of operational stress injury in first responders.
Zissis Hadjis Zissis is a first-year Master’s of Global Affairs student at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy who recently earned his Honours BSc from the University of Ottawa in Biomedical Science with a specialization in Neuroscience. Zissis is interested in public and global health, and hopes to help shape health policy in Canada and abroad in the future. Additionally, Zissis has experience as a volunteer medical first responder with St. John’s Ambulance in Ottawa.
Louisa (Zi Ting) You Louisa is an 3rd year undergraduate student in Peace, Conflict, and Justice with a strong interest in the intersection of psychological research and political policy. She aims to merge the two subjects in future projects and graduate studies.
Lab Alums
Gina Roussos Postdoctoral researchers now at Diversity Science, Portland, OR
Aurelio Falconi RA at Duke will attend medical school at Wake Forest School of Medicine
POSITIONS AVAILABLE:
Research Assistants
Description: The Applied Moral Psychology lab (PI: Dr. Laura Niemi) invites applicants for paid and volunteer Research Assistant positions in the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto. Terms of appointment can vary. For information contact: Laura Niemi, Ph.D. (laura.niemi@utoronto.ca). 315 Bloor Street West, Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto.
