The Sydney University Psychology of Intergroup Relations (SUPIR) Lab is dedicated to the psychological study of intergroup relations, diversity, and stigma.
We integrate a range of empirical methodologies from social psychology, social cognition, developmental psychology, field research, and psychophysiology. While our research has an Australian focus, its scope is international, with broad applications for social policy and interventions to promote social harmony.
The SUPIR Lab welcomes both domestic and international candidates to pursue a rewarding higher research degree (including a Doctor of Philosophy or a Master of Science) within The University of Sydney's School of Psychology. The Lab provides students with a supportive and collaborative environment that helps nurture the critical mindset and diligent research approach necessary for them to succeed as future independent researchers.
The School of Psychology offers a well-resourced and stimulating intellectual environment for research students and offers competitive top-up scholarships, teaching fellowships, and financial support to attend national and international conferences. More information.
Research projects can cover any topic in the extensive field of prejudice, diversity, and intergroup relations.
Examples of current and previous research topics include:
The SUPIR Lab encourages undergraduate students to undertake their Honours’ empirical project under the supervision of principal investigator, Professor Fiona White. The Lab will provide students with a great research environment and a nurturing support network to guide them successfully through their Honours' year. More information.
Examples of current and previous research topics include:
We are no longer accepting applications for volunteer research assistants for 2018. Please check back in November to apply for a position in 2019.
Fiona's work centers around the development of effective social-cognitive strategies to reduce the many types of stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination that continue to pervade society. In doing so, her research aims to improve intergroup relations for both minority and majority groups in the short- and long-term. Of particular interest are intergroup strategies that integrate cooperative contact (i.e., imagined, extended, and E-contact) and identity recategorisation (i.e., common vs. dual identity).
Lauren is a third year doctoral and masters of clinical psychology student. For her Honours' project in 2012, she devised a novel E-contact paradigm, whereby participants were vicariously exposed to intergroup contact online. Currently, she has been assisting in devising, piloting, and testing a new E-contact paradigm. Coming from a multicultural background herself, her research interests include: the impact of stigma and immigration on mental health outcomes, online interventions to promote behavioural change, and cognitive recategorisation strategies to facilitate prejudice reduction and acculturation.
Ruth is a first year doctoral student. Her research focuses on creating more inclusive K-12 classroom environments for sexual minority and gender non-conforming youth. For her master’s degree in sexuality studies, her research involved creating, implementing, and assessing the effects of a gender and sexuality workshop for K-12 educators. Her current research focuses on the primary and secondary school experiences of sexual minority and gender non-conforming young adults.
Rachel is a second year doctoral student. She is interested in improving the lives of sexual minorities and people with mental illnesses by reducing prejudice and discrimination against these groups. She aims to do so by connecting majority and minority group members on online chat platforms. She is hopeful that her research will be able to inform practical, community strategies and that it will be able to be used to improve social relations in Australia and internationally.
Elise is currently studying honours in psychology after completing a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts. Their research focuses on prejudice towards people who are transgender or gender non-conforming. They aim to work as a clinical psychologist in settings of social injustices/human rights abuses, where it is not uncommon for people to suffer due to the prejudice (in its various forms) of others.
Peta is currently working towards Honours in Psychology. Her research in 2018 explores aspects of public stigma toward members of same-sex families and possible strategies to reduce this stigma. Peta worked previously in research communications in international development and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
Karina is a third year Bachelor of Psychology Student. She is very interested in clinical and social psychology and how one's group relations can impact their mental well-being. She grew up in an international environment where prejudice was practically non-existent and is therefore intrigued by prejudice formation and excited to discover strategies to reduce prejudice and bias.
Diana is a second-year Bachelor of Arts student. She is majoring in Psychology and Japanese studies. Diana is interested in different cultures and is interested in learning about strategies for reducing prejudice and bias that form between the members of the groups and how they appear in the first place.
Cagla is a third year Bachelor of Arts student, majoring in Psychology, She is interested in understanding processes leading to prejudice formation and wants to contribute to reduction of prejudice and bias.
Victoria is a third year Bachelor of Psychology student with a interest in interpersonal relationships and cross-cultural psychology. She has a Master of Public Health, and thinks it's important to design interventions strongly based on psychological principles. Victoria loves discussing current affairs, and hence finds the work at the SUPIR lab on discrimination and prejudice not only fascinating, but also relevant to society at large.
Oscar is a third year Bachelor of Psychology student with a keen interest in the processes that bring about both positive and negative intergroup relations. Working as a VRA, he hopes to further explore long-term strategies for intergroup prejudice reduction.
Wathan is a third year undergraduate student majoring in psychology and neuroscience. She is interested in learning about and reducing social problems including hate and intergroup conflict between different social groups. She also enjoys learning about the brain and how it controls our everyday behaviour, choices and decisions. She hopes to use her knowledge of psychology to assist in improving people’s mental health and consequently, their lives.
Celeste is a second year Bachelor of Psychology student. She is passionate about reducing prejudice towards women and the LGBT community - a cause that she is devoted to. She is also interested in exploring the intergroup dynamics in a multicultural environment.
Alice is in her third year of a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science degree, majoring in Psychology. She is also a children’s TV producer. Alice is interested in investigating how prejudice and stereotype reduction strategies in the early stages of life can have beneficial and lasting effects.
Rebecca is a third year Bachelor of Psychology student. She is interested in social, clinical and developmental psychology. Rebecca is looking forward to examining the many forms of human relations and group dynamics, and how these can lead to and impact prejudice, development and mental illness.
Jessie is a fourth-year student studying a Bachelor of Psychology, having previously completed a Bachelor of Music. Having been lucky enough to have lived and travelled in different places, she has experienced places where racial prejudice is prevalent, and places where it's not. She is therefore interested in learning about the formation and reduction of racial prejudice. Through her work as a VRA, Jessie is also hoping to find strategies to reduce prejudice towards those with a disability, as they are subject to some of the most severe forms of prejudice and discrimination.
Jennifer is a third year Bachelor of Psychology student with a strong interest in social, mental health, and learning psychology. In particular, she is passionate about reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness, so that individuals affected by mental illness can feel more comfortable to seek help and support. Also, having grown up in a multicultural community, she values diversity and the enriching relationships that can result when cultures come together. As such, she is keen on contributing to research relating to the reduction of prejudice and discrimination. She believes that if we change our perspective, we can change our world.
Mirei is an undergraduate student in a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Psychology. She first came across the subject area by taking a psychology elective during her previous degree in Engineering. Having loved learning about cognition and behaviour, she decided to switch for good and take up a Psychology major. She is currently in her final year, studying personality and social psych. Mirei is passionate about social equality, women’s rights and is a supporter of minority groups. In her spare time she likes to cook, dance and tend to her pot plants.
Susanna is a third year Bachelor of Psychology student. Having worked in an administrative role in a Psychology practice, she is extremely interested in the stigma around Mental Health issues and how to reduce prejudice towards people with mental illnesses.
May-Zin completed her honours in psychology in 2017. Her honours project was on reducing intergenerational resource threat and ageism. She is interested in investigating how technology and media can be utilised in promoting intergroup harmony and facilitating behavioural change.
Betty completed her PhD in 2014, with Professor Fiona White as part of her supervisory team. She is currently a Research Associate at the Institute of Open Adoption Studies within the School of Education and Social Work at the university. While her background is in developmental psychology, she has contributed to research projects within a range of topics including: early childhood education, open adoption from out-of-home care, and intergroup contact and prejudice. Betty has a firm research interest in understanding how the early environment can best support children’s development, and what can be done to tackle social inequality and disadvantage.
