UNITE Lab

About Us

The Understanding Nurturing, Inclusive, and Transformative Environments (UNITE) lab tries to understand how we can turn places that might make people feel uncomfortable or unwelcome because of who they are, into spaces where everyone feels safe, supported, and valued. We look at how diversity in people's backgrounds - where they come from, what they look like, what they believe in - can be seen as advantages rather than liabilities that set them apart. 

Grounded in Social Identity Threat Theory (Steele et al., 2002) and the Cues Hypothesis (Murphy et al., 2007; Kroeper et al., 2022), we study how changing our surroundings can help change how we see and treat each other. 

So, come along and let's make a difference together!

Fabiola, Noelle, and Nick presenting their research at ECSC (2023).

Ashley presenting her research at ECSC (2023). Sophia is just off camera. 

Abby and Lauren presenting their research at ECSC (2023).

Noelle accepting an ECSC award on behalf of her team (i.e., Fabiola and Nick) for their research. Lauren and Abby were also winners that day!

UNITE Labbers

Abigail "Abby" Wilk

UNITE Lab 2022 - present

SHU Class of 2024

Amanda Hamel

UNITE Lab 2023 - present

Ava Bjelka

UNITE Lab 2023 - present

Michele Chu

UNITE Lab 2023 - present

SHU Class of 2026

Noelle Debrot

UNITE Lab 2022 - present

SHU Class of 2024

Samantha Cavalea

UNITE Lab 2023 - present

SHU Class of 2024

Sarah Hanslin

UNITE Lab 2023 - present

SHU Class of 2024

Sophia Rogers

UNITE Lab 2022 - present

SHU Class of 2026

Not Pictured: Gabriela Gomez and Katrina Brown

UNITE Lab Alumni

Ashley Piney

UNITE Lab 2022 - 2023

SHU Class of 2023

Not Pictured: Nicholas Granja (Dec. 2022 - May 2023), Fabiola Millien-Faustin  (Dec. 2022. - May 2023), and Lauren Simak (Dec. 2022. - May 2023)