Research in Diversity Science
A number of faculty in the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences conduct research in Diversity Science. Diversity Science is the scientific study of the causes of racism, socioeconomic and health disparities, and bias. Research in Psychological & Brain Sciences includes research on early adversity, the development and expression of bias across the lifespan, intergroup relationships and conflict, and the mechanisms of disparities in health and well-being across the lifespan, as well as in access to health care and education.
Diversity Science is not a separate area of graduate study in the Department, but provides an opportunity to apply work in all areas of psychological science to understanding the causes of bias and disparities and eventually to eliminating them.
Faculty Conducting Research Relevant to Diversity Science
![]() Dr. Barch's current research is focused on understanding the interplay among cognition, emotion, and brain function to better understand the deficits in behavior and cognition found in illnesses such as schizophrenia and depression. More recently, her work has expanded to include a focus on the mechanisms through which early adversity (e.g., poverty, stress, disparities in access to health care and education) shape early brain development and subsequent risk for mental health challenges. Dr. Barch’s faculty website can be reached here. Some recent publications relevant to this research focus are:
| Dr. Bogdan’s research examines how genomic variation and environmental experience contribute to individual differences in neural phenotypes, biomarkers, behavior, and psychopathology. His recent work relevant to diversity science has examined environmental and biological pathways underlying health disparities and the identification of genetic variants conferring risk for psychopathology among individuals of African American ancestry. Some recent publications exemplifying this research are listed below. More information about Ryan Bogdan’s general research program may be found on his faculty (https://psychweb.wustl.edu/people/ryan-bogdan) and laboratory (https://bogdanlab.com/) pages.
| |
Dr. Hill’s current research is focused on understanding the benefits of having a sense of purpose across different life domains, including the promotion of health, wealth, and psychological well-being. His recent work has considered whether purposeful individuals may seek out and navigate experiences of diversity differently from others, demonstrating that having a sense of purpose may promote comfort with diverse groups. Dr. Hill’s faculty website can be reached here: https://psychweb.wustl.edu/hill-0. Some recent publications relevant to this research focus are:
|
Dr. Lai's Diversity Science Lab website: https://calvinklai.wordpress.com/
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Most of Professor Baugh's research is interdisciplinary, drawing extensively upon related work in the fields of anthropology, ethnography, linguistics, and sociology. These experimental investigations are tailored to have practical applications whenever possible. Recently he has conducted studies of linguistic profiling over the telephone, where callers seeking housing or other goods and services face discrimination due to stereotypes about their speech. Very often these discriminatory acts have legal implications in civil and criminal court cases.
In addition to his linguistic research, Professor Baugh directs the African and African American Studies program, which strives to advance distinguished scholarship of and by people of African descent regardless of academic discipline. These administrative duties are collaborative and involve scholars and students across Washington University who work to advance teaching, scholarship, and public service throughout the African Diaspora.
|
|
- Aging and Development
- Behavior, Brain and Cognition
- Clinical Science
- Social and Personality Psychology
- Research in Diversity Science
- Interdisciplinary Training Programs
- Diversity
- CCSN
- Admission & Financial Aid
- Graduate Fellowships
- Graduate Certificate in Quantitative Data Analysis
- Apply to the Graduate School
- Graduate Program FAQ
- Department Facilities