Researcher Profiles

Wendy Josephson

Dr. Wendy Josephson, Professor, Department of Psychology

Can you share a brief description of your current research.  

I am a member of PREVNet, a network of 62 Canadian researchers and 52 youth-focused organizations that work together to reduce bullying and promote the development of healthy relationships. My research has included evaluation of various programs to reduce bullying and promote positive relationships. My major focus right now is on one of ten PREVNet “knowledge mobilization” projects funded by the Networks of Centres of Excellence, to apply research findings to solve bullying problems in children’s real lives. I am working with the Family Channel to develop events, activities, and resource materials for schools to use to reduce bullying.  We are organizing our work around a national campaign called Bullying Awareness Week, but incorporating classroom relationship-building activities to extend through the entire school year.   

In what ways could this research affect the average person?

Preventing bullying at school and promoting more positive relationships has the potential to improve children’s day-to-day lives a lot. Children who are repeatedly bullied are at risk for a variety of physical, social and emotional health problems and even increased risk of suicide. Children who bully others are at risk of establishing a pattern of abusive, unsatisfying relationships.  Even bystanders report distress and a reduced sense of safety at school.  

For you personally, why do you want to do this kind of research? What is the most satisfying part of this research?

Like many of my students, I started out loving social psychology because its about things that really matter.  Topics like violence and aggression, helping behaviour, and relationships have implications for some of the most important experiences of a human life, and also have implications for improving the human condition. Applied social psychology provides the opportunity to test those implications and turn research into beneficial social change.  

What kind of student involvement do you have in this research?

PREVNet researchers are encouraged to include their students, who are really very energetic and creative contributors to the work.  Students can take an important role in collecting and analyzing information, writing research reports and other materials, such as fact sheets, and presenting results at conferences. For example, a University of Winnipeg undergraduate student, Harrison Oakes, took the lead in writing the teacher’s manual for Bullying Awareness Week – a resource that will be distributed across Canada through the Canadian Teacher’s Federation and other PREVNet partners in the next few weeks.

What would you say to students who may be interested in this field of study?

Applied psychology is a very rewarding field of research, and there’s a place for you to contribute as you learn, even as an undergraduate.