Research & Initiatives
My research explores how psychology, storytelling, and educational design can create learning experiences that foster perspective-taking, critical thinking, and civic engagement. Although these projects span different populations and methods, they share a common goal: translating research into meaningful educational practice.
Bridge to Civics
What does pizza have to do with democracy?​​
Bridge to Civics uses familiar, everyday situations to introduce civic concepts in ways that are engaging, approachable, and practical. Through scenario-based microlearning, the project encourages adults to explore media literacy, critical thinking, and democratic participation, without feeling like they're back in high school civics class.
As Project Lead, I am developing a story-based microlearning curriculum designed to make civic education more engaging, practical, and accessible for adult learners.
Moral Dissonance Theory
Moral Dissonance is a developing psychological theory that examines the tension individuals experience when their actions conflict with deeply held moral values. Building on theories of cognitive dissonance, the project explores how moral conflict influences identity, decision-making, and behavior in contemporary social contexts.
​I developed the Moral Dissonance Theory to better understand the tension that occurs when actions conflict with deeply held moral beliefs. As creator and lead investigator of the Moral Dissonance Theory, I continue to refine and test the framework through ongoing research.
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The Bucket List Project
​The Bucket List Project examines how the goals people hope to achieve reveal what matters most to them. By exploring later in life experiences through virtual reality this qualitative research, the project seeks to understand better the relationship among purpose, identity, well-being, and the stories people tell about a life well lived.
The idea for The Bucket List Project emerged from an interest in the stories people tell about the lives they hope to live. As Principal Investigator, I am exploring how those aspirations can deepen our understanding of identity, purpose, and psychological well-being.
Additional Research
TechEnlight Nigeria (2023–2025)
Role: Co-Creator, Instructor & Researcher
Developed and evaluated a digital literacy intervention designed to address the digital divide in rural Nigerian schools. The project combined educational technology, teacher training, and community partnerships to improve digital access and learning outcomes.
Dissertation Research (2020–2025)
Role: Principal Investigator
Designed and conducted an IRB-approved quantitative study examining the effects of reading, video, and immersive virtual reality on empathy, perspective-taking, transformative learning, and implicit racial bias. Findings were presented at national conferences and published as a doctoral dissertation. The completed study fulfilled the requirements for the Ph.D. in Media Psychology and provides the foundation for my ongoing research in immersive learning and perspective-taking.
Taking a Stand: The Rosa Parks Immersive Experience (2022–Present)
Role: Executive Producer & Researcher (or whatever title best reflects your role)
Developing a 360° immersive virtual reality experience that uses the story of Rosa Parks to foster historical empathy, perspective-taking, and critical reflection. The project integrates media psychology, immersive storytelling, and educational design to support transformative learning.