Discrimination and Prejudice  

​​Mothers in the workforce

• Mothers have become a major part of the workforce over the past few decades, yet research has found that they are seen as less competent and committed employees than childfree women, childfree men, and fathers and are often paid less because of these negative biases. I am interested in examining why people hold these biases and how to best overcome them. ​

Women's parental status

• Mothers and childfree by choice women are viewed differently from one another. Childfree women are often seen as cold, but competent, while mothers are often seen as warm, but incompetent. Additionally, childfree women are often more disliked and are the target of more outrage than mothers. As such, I am interested in examining attitudes toward mothers and childfree​ women. In particular, the effect of the reason for mothers working on individuals' perception of them. 

Childfree or childless-by-choice

• Childless-by-choice or childfree people are commonly viewed as selfish, cold, unlikable, and are often the target of more outrage than parents (Ashburn-Nardo, 2017), as such I have conducted further research examining individuals' attitudes toward and perceptions of childfree people. ​

LGBTQ+

• Members of the LGBTQ+ community are often the target of prejudice and discrimination when it comes to housing, safety, employment, and healthcare. I am interested in examining the root of these prejudices and how they can be overcome.

Religious minorities

• While atheists are an ever-increasing part of the population, atheists are commonly disliked and seen as immoral and untrustworthy. I have conducted research examining individuals' perceptions of atheists and if these negative perceptions can encourage discrimination.  ​

• In the United States, other groups such as Muslims are also often viewed more negatively than Christians. As such, I am interested in studying why religious minorities are the target of discrimination and how to reduce this discrimination.