PAR LAB | Dr. Elvira Prusaczyk

PAR Lab Research Hub

In the PAR Lab, student researchers and I study some of society’s toughest challenges: prejudice, discrimination, gender-based sexual violence, and ideological division. We also devote ourselves to investigating bias reduction, employing strategies that make systems and people more egalitarian and inclusive. Current strategies of focus include bystander education and contemplative practices such as mindfulness meditations.

Importantly, we work together collaboratively, prioritizing relationality and shared insights as we progress our research projects. For more about our values, visit the PAR Lab Values link.

Understanding Intergroup Bias and Harm

The PAR Lab investigates how social environments, individual differences and ideologies, or the interaction of environments and person-level characteristics shape stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, and even in-group bias.

Ideology and Bias toward Women, Racialized People, and Sexual and Gender Diverse People

The Development of Socio-Political Ideologies and Intergroup Bias in Childhood

Gender-Stereotypical Media, Ideology, and Bias toward Women

Sexist Humour, Ideology, and Ingroup Bias (toward Women)

Cultural Norms, Beauty Ideals, and Internalized Harm

Gendered Social Norms and Hook up Dynamics in Undergraduate University Contexts

Understanding Stereotype Content and Consequences Across Social Groups

Testing Pathways to Bias and Harm Reduction

The PAR Lab investigates the effectiveness of various social and environmental pathways (and their interaction with individual differences) to reduce bias, namely – DEIA education, bystander intervention training, and contemplative practices such as meditation that foster awareness, virtue, compassion, and common humanity.

DEIA Education

Bystander Intervention Training for Sexual Violence Prevention

Contemplative Practices as Pathways to Bias Reduction

Side Projects

Environmental Social Justice and Food Security

Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/dr.p_parlab_stfx/) for updates on research projects, student accomplishments, opportunities, and life in the lab!

You can also connect with Dr. Elvira Prusaczyk on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/elvira-prusaczyk). For a list of publications and scholarly contributions, visit Dr. Prusaczyk’s Google Scholar profile.