People | Diversity & Identity

Dr. Teri Kirby
Principal Investigator

Dr. Teri Kirby (she/her) completed her Bachelor's degree (B.A.) at the University of Pennsylvania in 2008 and her Ph.D. at the University of Washington in 2015. In 2015, she became a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Social Psychology at the University of Exeter and was promoted to Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in 2018. In 2022, she moved to Purdue University as an Assistant Professor and was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2024.

Dr. Kirby’s research interests lie in the realm of diversity, self and identity, intergroup relations, and discrimination. Her primary research questions examine how attempts to increase diversity shape the experience of groups that have been historically underrepresented. Which approaches to diversity management are most beneficial? How do these approaches affect ethnic minorities’ and women’s sense of self and identity? She examines these questions in academic and organizational contexts using multiple measurement approaches.

In her spare time, she enjoys trying/making new food, reading fiction (especially on social justice topics or dystopian), making unnecessary spreadsheets, and arguing about whether dogs or cats are better (it's dogs, with the exception of Kartoffel, the best cat in the world).

PhD Students

Junming Zhang (she/her) is a fifth-year Social Psychology PhD student at Purdue under the supervision of Dr. Teri Kirby. She is broadly interested in diversity, intergroup relations, belongingness, and intersectionality. Before coming to Purdue, Junming completed her undergraduate studies at University of Richmond and majored in Psychology and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Outside from academics, she enjoys cooking, hanging out with friends, and exploring nature through hiking and camping.

Email: zhan4621@purdue.edu

Junming Zhang

Linh Pham (she/her) is a third-year PhD student in social psychology. She is broadly interested in how people think about diversity and its impact on intergroup relations and support for social changes. Prior to starting grad school, Linh received her BA in Psychology and Philosophy from the University of Washington (UW) in 2022 and was a lab manager for Stereotypes, Identity, and Belonging Lab at UW, directed by Dr. Sapna Cheryan. Outside of the lab, she enjoys spending time with her dogs, dancing, and playing board games.

Email: pham190@purdue.edu

Linh Pham

Research Assistants

Ukiah Johnson (she/her) is a senior majoring in Psychological Sciences and Law & Society with a minor in Forensic Science. Her plan after undergrad is to apply to graduate level social psychology programs.

Dante Rohan is a senior majoring in Psychological Sciences. His research interests include topics related to diversity and reducing prejudice and discrimination. He hopes to go on to graduate school and practice in Clinical Psychology.

Rachel Hand (she/her) is a senior majoring in Psychological Sciences with a minor in Spanish Language. Her research interests focus on understanding how human behaviors influence individuals' experiences. In the future, she hopes to attend medical school.

Katie Schoen (she/her) is a junior majoring in Psychological Sciences and Developmental & Family Science. Her research interests include understanding the effects of inclusion and representation on identity and interpersonal relationships. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, and listening to music.

Harsha Bansiwal (she/her) is a senior majoring in Psychological Sciences. Her research interests include intersectional diversity, mental health, romantic relationships, health equity, and the experiences of marginalized communities. She hopes to explore how psychological research can contribute to a better understanding of diversity and equity and pursue a career in psychological research.

Alayna Vance (she/her) is a sophomore studying Psychological Sciences. Her research interests include mental health, neurodivergence, identity, social development, diversity, and the experiences of marginalized populations. She hopes to go on into graduate school, specializing in Clinical, Educational, or Social Psychology.

Lab Alumni

Post-Doctoral Fellows:

Dr. Marco Silva Rego (Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Portugal)

PhD Students:

Dr. Nicole Russell Pascual (Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor)
Dr. Edwina Wong (Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of Amsterdam)
Dr. Antonia Sudkaemper (Cambridge Assessment)
Dr. Joo Hou (Joshua) Ng (Assistant Professor/Lecturer at Taylor’s University, Malaysia)
Sabrina Spangsdorf (Strategic advisor and educational analyst, Hillerød Municipality, Denmark)

Research Coordinators:

Eirini Ketzitzidou Argyri (currently a PhD student at the University of Exeter)
Casey McMahon (currently a PhD student at Columbia University)
Austin Zeng (currently a PhD student at Michigan State University)

Master's Students:

Nicole Russell Pascual (ESRC funded)
Gazi Eraslan
Hexin Ji
Tom Ovett
Eileen Schwanold
Xueying Yang
Pantelis Kalpouzos

Undergraduate Researchers: Charlotte Walters, Jack Oades, Shania Hughes, Faye Proud, Alix Baker, Joseph Edmonds, Zoe Bird, Bethany Rachel Wells, Joseph Wright, Vilma Karolina Jokinen, Nicole Russell Pascual, Jemma Convery, Hayley Flint, Jamie Hendy, Laura Osman, Sophie Stadie, Alex Stratford, Riya Surtani, Darren Tan, Leah Fawaz, Zee Ning Liew, Navina Sandhu, Emily Credido, Greg Eckhartt, Sophie Erskine, Ines Huynh, Raphael Korine, Cordelia Powell, Lydia Sze, Varun Venkatraman, Leah Fawaz, Zee Ning Liew, Navina Sandhu, Ciara Beaumont-Wood, Chi Chan, Chun Chang, Roisin Doherty, Katy Dunnill, Natalie Green, Natalie Priestley, Rija Tariq, Britney Ramos, Sarah Kenway, Shannon Sturt, Abi Click (currently a PhD student at the University of Connecticut), Carson Schalk, Kavya Krishnan (currently a Master student at Palo Alto University), Lily Whitehair, Wen Qing, Jacob Lo, Annabelle Battiste, Trina Makalintal, Riley Ritter, Cydney Wathen, Cheyenne Essex, Maddie Rey, Jillian Larson, Jasmine Lu