Biography

My research investigates the ways in which implicit game theories, such as zero-sum mindset, underpin political polarization and intergroup hostility, inhibit trust and cooperation, and erode democratic and economic flourishing. This research is currently supervised by Dr. David Good and is supported by The ESRC project “Rebuilding Macroeconomics: Social Macroeconomics” in collaboration with Sir Paul Collier and Professor Dennis Snower. This work is also being applied in my capacity as a guest expert for BRIDGE (Building resilience to reduce polarisation and growing extremism) project for EFUS (European Forum for Urban Security) and for the United States Institute of Peace (USIP).

My interest in how psychological processes can shape real-world realities first emerged from my background in journalism and media. This short career afforded me invaluable opportunities to work with organizations like CNN, TIME Inc., and Room to Read, and in countries across the globe. This career also impressed upon me the power of subjective interpretations and narratives to shape motivations and behaviors that shape our society. Before coming to Cambridge I studied social psychology as a post-baccalaureate scholar at UC Berkeley in the Emotion and Emotion Regulation Laboratory directed by Professor Iris Mauss and Professor Oliver John. Outside of academia, I am a certified conflict mediator in San Francisco, mediating disputes between police officers and citizens through the Department of Police Accountability.

Previous Education

University Of Georgia
University of Oxford
University of California, Berkeley