People
Lab Director
Michael Schmitt
Pronouns: he/him
Michael T. Schmitt is a Professor of Social Psychology at 51社区黑料, where he has worked since 2005. His background is in collective identity and intergroup relations from a social identity theory perspective. He teaches courses and conducts research on the application of social psychology to climate change and climate justice. In particular, he is interested in understanding what motivates people to engage in activism and work for social change. Michael鈥檚 current work applies a social identity lens to climate change and other environmental problems. He enjoys reading sci-fi and playing the ukulele.
Email: mschmitt@sfu.ca
Lab Manager
Melanie Nichele
Pronouns: she/her
Hello! My name is Melanie and I'm honoured to work as the SISC lab's current manager. I'm also working on my bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in counselling and human development. Since the time I joined this lab as an RA, I've learned a lot about the intersection between social and environmental justice within local communities. This has influenced my future goals to pursue graduate studies in social psychology, focusing on community-based interventions and researching how fostering social connection and understanding can influence pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours. Outside of my studies, I enjoy reading novels, practicing my sewing skills, and exploring local trails.
Email: sisclab@sfu.ca
Graduate Students
Jonathan Mendel
Pronouns: he/him
Annika Lutz
Pronouns: she/her
Hello! My name is Annika (she/her) and I am a PhD student working with Dr. Michael Schmitt to investigate what motivates people to engage in environmental activism and support climate change policies. Specifically, much of my research explores how visions for a more equitable and sustainable world impact people鈥檚 support for pro-environmental social change. I understand climate change as an issue of intersecting environmental and social injustices, and I am interested in working together with communities and non-profits to conduct research that supports the climate justice movement. To that end, I draw on various research methods, from open-science and quantitative approaches to in-depth qualitative research.
Email: annika_lutz@sfu.ca
Elyse Collyer
Pronouns: she/her
Hi! My name is Elyse Collyer (she/her). I am a Master's student working with Dr. Michael Schmitt researching the connection between social and environmental justice and the behavioral implications of this connection. Specifically, my Master's work focuses on creating a game-style intervention to educate participants about the co-benefits of climate action to increase behaviors that benefit both people and the planet. This work builds off previous research completed during my Honors B.A. in Psychology at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota. My career goals include working with communities to promote co-beneficial pro-environmental action for a sustainable and just future.
Meghan Ash
PRONOUNS: SHE/HER
Hello! My name is Meghan (she/her) and I am a Master鈥檚 student working with Dr. Michael Schmitt researching social and environmental justice. I am interested in understanding what motivates people to engage in collective action, how individuals understand the intersection of social and climate (in)justices, and how intergenerational collaboration can be improved within social movements. My research primarily draws on qualitative research methodologies, and my long-term goal is to work in environmental policy or conduct research in collaboration with community organizations to support both local and large-scale climate initiatives. Outside of academia, I enjoy crochet, film photography, and long nature walks to identify mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest.
Research Assistants
Hanna Chan
Pronouns: she/her
Hi there! I am Hanna. I am currently a research assistant at the SISC Lab. After completing my undergraduate studies, I decided to stick around the lab to enrich myself in an academic environment. Looking ahead, I hope to pursue graduate studies either in Social Psychology or Forensic Psychology. My research interests include biases and judgements in the legal system, wrongful convictions, psychology in social and political movements, and social cognition. Outside of my studies, I have taken up ice skating recently and have been thoroughly enjoying it!
Rebecca Wagner
Pronouns: she/her
I am a 4th year Psychology Honors student at SFU, currently volunteering as a research assistant in the Sustainability, Identity and Social Change Lab and Close Relationships Lab. My goal is to pursue graduate studies in Clinical Psychology after completing my undergraduate degree. My current research interests include the impact of attachment style, ACEs and family systems on wellbeing and close relationships, risk prevention and addiction recovery, as well as intersectionality and environmentalism.
Aliyah Ahmad
Pronouns: she/her
Ayelet Pango Salas
Pronouns: they/she/he
Krystal Issa
Pronouns: she/her
Erik Spence
Pronouns: he/they
Chiara McDonald
PRONOUNS: SHE/HER
I鈥檓 Chiara (she/her). I recently completed my undergraduate honours degree, when I wrote my thesis on discrimination at the intersection of sexual minority identity and relationship status. I am aiming to enter graduate studies in Social Psychology, but in the meantime, I am greatly enjoying my role as a research assistant in the SISC lab. I am currently interested in highlighting underrepresented and marginalized groups within research, as well as exploring intersectional identities and intergroup relationships. I have a deep love for great films and horrible movies, especially when the line between the two is thin.
Email: chiara_mcdonald@sfu.ca
Alex Morin
PRONOUNS: HE/HIM
Hi! My name is Alex and I鈥檓 a research assistant at the SISC lab. I鈥檓 in my 4th year as a Psychology major with a counselling minor and am aiming to get into the Counselling Psychology Master鈥檚 to one day be a therapist. Specifically, I鈥檇 like to focus my future practice on trauma, neurodivergence, and the impact of social injustices. My interests these days mostly revolve around my dog, Cedar. We like finding new trails to walk on and have been doing agility training!
Catharine MacLean
PRONOUNS: ANY
Jacquie MacLean
PRONOUNS: SHE/HER
Hi there! My name is Jacquie MacLean (she/her), I am a volunteer research assistant in the Sustainability, Identity and Social Change lab at SFU. Currently, I am in my fourth year of my psychology undergraduate degree. My interests are in the social psychological field, specifically the driving factors of social connections and compatibility. Outside of my studies, I love spending time outdoors, hiking and kayaking, which has driven my interest towards the interrelation between environmental sustainability and psychology.
