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Sydney University Psychology of Intergroup Relations (SUPIR) Lab
SUPIR Lab focuses on the psychology of intergroup relations and prejudice.
At SUPIR Lab, we integrate a range of empirical methodologies from social psychology, social cognition and developmental psychology. Our scope of research is international, with broad applications for social policy and interventions to promote social change.
Our aims
Our research aims to:
- Understand the dynamic processes that contribute to stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination between different social groups.
- Formulate and evaluate strategies to reduce intergroup conflict and promote positive intergroup relations.
- Develop and evaluate new measures for examining intergroup relations.
- Explore the bidirectional nature of intergroup relations and highlight its importance for promoting positive social change.
Our research
Projects
Alongside my PhD student Roberta Chen, we are evaluating the continuum of contact interventions via different media technologies to reduce racial prejudice.
By employing media technologies, this project compares the relative effectiveness of different indirect contact strategies such as vicarious contact, text-based E-contact and audio-based E-contact in reducing prejudice and in doing so, examines the order of contact interventions that can help increase the effectiveness of positive contact and buffer negative contact.
Ultimately, this project will provide a preliminary framework for exploring the conditions required to apply effective indirect contact strategies in a continuum to reduce intergroup tensions between conflicting social groups in our society.
Alongside my PhD student Cherry Wan, we are dedicated to understanding and combatting dementia stigma. This project aims to identify the predictors of stigma directed towards individuals living with dementia and to develop effective strategies for reducing this social stigma.
This research delves into the cognitive, emotional, and behavioural underpinnings of stigma directed towards individuals living with dementia, seeking to pinpoint its root causes and how it manifests in both Western and Chinese cultures.
In a world with a growing aging population, this research has the potential to improve the well-being of individuals affected by dementia and reshape societal attitudes, offering hope for a more inclusive and compassionate future.
Alongside my PhD student Ellen Shi, we are investigating factors that influence individuals’ willingness to take action against racism.
Specifically, this project explores how intergroup contact relates to White and Asian people's willingness to take action against racism, and whether the contact-action relationship can be altered by reminding people of particular conceptualisations of racism.
By using experimental designs, this project will shed light on how intergroup contact interventions can be used to mobilise actions in support of social change.
Alongside my PhD student Emma McDermott, we are investigating mental health stigma in young people and school-based interventions to reduce stigma and promote help-seeking.
This project explores key predictors of public and self-stigma, examining how factors such as gender and culture shape children’s perceptions of mental health. Through collaboration with students, teachers, and parents, we will co-design a contact-based stigma reduction intervention and evaluate its effectiveness in school settings.
Ultimately, this research aims to integrate stigma reduction strategies into school-based mental health initiatives, fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for young people.
This project aims to develop and evaluate a new set of RESPECT e-modules, underpinned by leading anti-racism approaches integrated into a single guiding framework for the first time.
The RESPECT e-modules will generate knowledge about the best-practice content needed to successfully expand school students’ inclusive thinking and racism reduction in both the short- and long-term. Expected outcomes of this project include the development of stand-alone RESPECT e-resources that can be used to support teachers' delivery of a national anti-racism curriculum that is novel, engaging, and educational.
Targeting the thoughts and actions of young people will have significant national benefits by creating a more culturally inclusive future for all.
Research team and funding: White, F., Denson, N., Bodkin-Andrews, G., Walton, J., Hardinge, T., Curry, H., and Cool.org. Australian Research Council (ARC)/Linkage Projects (LP240100299)
The cultural, health, and economic costs of racism are significant. New and effective racism reduction methods that target the barriers to achieving positive intergroup contact are urgently needed.
Mixed-reality (MR) technologies can create highly realistic digital humans, that provide researchers with experimental control, ecological validity, and a unique functionality to change the negative intergroup dynamic via a cooperative exchange, in more natural ways than ever before.
This project will uncover the optimal MR methodologies needed for an immersive, multi-sensorial and dynamic interaction to reduce racism. A significant outcome will be a scalable and effective racism-reducing MR toolkit for researchers and stakeholders to implement.
Research team and funding: White, F., Seymour, M., and Paolini, S. Australian Research Council (ARC)/Discovery Projects (DP250100107)
Our people
- Sascha Noble
- Lauren Bentley
- Ryan De Leon
- Nicola De Zotti
- Ling Sum Ellison Kwan
- Imane Lattab
- Alessio Maugeri
- Minh Nguyen
- Sharanya Prasanna
- Chiara Prinsloo
- Sarah Sulaqa
- Darren Tjioe
- Kevin Zhang
Opportunities
For information about our research and opportunities to work or collaborate with the Sydney University Psychology of Intergroup Relations (SUPIR) Lab, email Professor Fiona White.
Undergraduate Volunteer Research Assistants (VRAs)
The SUPIR Lab provides third-year psychology students at the University of Sydney with the opportunity to engage with psychology research first hand. VRAs attend fortnightly meetings discussing issues in social psychology research, assist PhD and Masters students with their research projects, and also gain insight into what's involved in Psychology Honours.
Examples of VRA research activities include piloting experiments, conducting literature searches and reviews, and providing feedback on research. Applications open late October/early November each year.
Apply for a SUPIR Lab VRA role here.
Undergraduate Honours Programs
The SUPIR Lab encourages undergraduate students to undertake their Honours empirical project under the supervision of principal investigator, Professor Fiona White. The Lab will provide students with a great research environment and a nurturing support network to guide them successfully through their Honours year.
Doctoral and Masters Research Programs
The SUPIR Lab welcomes both domestic and international candidates to pursue a rewarding higher research degree (including a Doctor of Philosophy or a Master of Science) within The University of Sydney's School of Psychology. The Lab provides students with a supportive and collaborative environment that helps nurture the critical mindset and diligent research approach necessary for them to succeed as future independent researchers.
Publications
2024
- Newson, M., Peitz, L., Wibisono, S., Knijnik, J., & White, F. A., & Whitehouse, H. (in press). Anti-social Behaviour and Football Identities: Different Continents, Same Mindset? Self and Identity. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298868.2024.2423829
- McDermott, E., A, & White, F. A. (in press). Reducing Prejudice Against Sexuality and Gender Diverse Persons: The Role of Vicarious Contact and Religiosity. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity. https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000793
- Chen, R., & White, F. A. (2024). The future of prejudice reduction research: A critical review of the role of virtual reality (VR). Computers in Human Behavior, 152, 108073. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2023.108073
- Chen, R., White, F. A., Deng, M., & Shi, E. (2024). The power of words and voices: Direct and vicarious contact (text vs. audio modalities) in reducing anti-Chinese prejudice. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/13684302241231201
- Cocco, V. M., Lucarini, M. A., White, F. A., & Vezzali, L. (2024). Virtually meeting "the Intouchables": Online contact, sense of community, and prejudice toward people with a disability. Journal of Applied Social Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/jasp.13031
2023
- Harvey, L. J., & White, F. A. (2023). Emotion self-stigma as a unique predictor of help-seeking intentions: A comparative analysis of early adolescents and young adults. Psychology and Psychotherapy, 96(3), 762-777. https://doi.org/10.1111/papt.12467
- Maunder, R. D., & White, F. A. (2023). Exemplar typicality in interventions to reduce public stigma against people with mental illness. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 53(9), 819-834. https://doi.org/10.1111/jasp.12970
2022
- Hatoum, A. H. & White, Fiona A. (2022). Advancing E-contact to reduce intergroup anxiety and increase positive attitudes towards individuals who identify as bisexual. Journal of Sex Research, 59(7), 872-885. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2022.2059648
- Tropp, L. R., White, F. A., Rucinski, C. L., & Tredoux, C. (2022). Intergroup contact and prejudice reduction: Prospects and Challenges in changing youth attitudes. Review of General Psychology, 26(3), 342-360. https://doi.org/10.1177/10892680211046517
2021
- Bagci, S. C., Guvensoy, I., Turner, R. N., White, F. A., & Piyale, Z. E. (2021). Investigating the role of E-contact and self-disclosure on improving Turkish-Kurdish interethnic relations. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 51(6), 577-593. https://doi.org/10.1111/jasp.12760
- Boccanfuso, E., White, F. A., & Maunder, R. D. (2021). Reducing transgender stigma via an E-contact intervention. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 84(5-6), 326-336. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-020-01171-9
- Harvey, L., White, F. A., & McAulay, C. (2021). Depressing predicts emotion acceptance beliefs in early adolescence: A longitudinal investigation. The British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 60(4), 513-529. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjc.12311
- Marinucci, M., Maunder, R. D., Sanchez, K., Thai, M., McKeown, S., Turner, R. N., & Stevenson, C. (2021). Intimate intergroup contact across the lifespan. Journal of Social Issues, 77(1), 64-85. https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12399
- Paolini, S., White, F. A., Tropp, L., Turner, R. N., Page-Gould, L., Barlow, F., & Gomez, A. (2021). Intergroup contact research in the 21st century: Lessons learnt and forward progress if we remain open and vigilant. Journal of Social Issues, 77(1), 11-37. https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12427
- White, F. A., Borinca, I., Vezzali, L., Reynolds, K. J., Blomster Lyshol, J. K., Verrelli, S., & Falomir‐Pichastor, J. M. (2021). Beyond direct contact: The theoretical and societal relevance of indirect contact for improving intergroup relations. Journal of Social Issues, 77(1), 132-153. https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12400
- White, F. A., Newson, M., Verrelli, S., & Whitehouse, H. (2021). Pathways to prejudice and outgroup hostility: Group alignment and intergroup conflict among football fans. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 51(7), 660-666. https://doi.org/10.1111/jasp.12773
2020
- Maunder, R. D., Day, S. C., & White, F. A. (2020). The benefit of contact for prejudice-prone individuals: The type of stigmatized outgroup matters. The Journal of Social Psychology, 160(1), 92-104. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2019.1601608
- O'Flynn, P., & White, F. A. (2020). Harnessing social influence theory to improve attitudes towards gay parents. Sexuality Research & Social Policy: A Journal of the NSRC, 17(4), 675-687. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-019-00425-w
- White, F. A., Maunder, R. D., & Verrelli, S. (2020). Text-based E-contact: Harnessing cooperative Internet interactions to bridge the social and psychological divide. European Review of Social Psychology, 31(1), 76-119. https://doi.org/10.1080/10463283.2020.1753459
2019
- Harvey, L. J., Hunt, C., & White, F. A. (2019). Dialectical behaviour therapy for emotion regulation difficulties: A systematic review. Behaviour Change, 36(3), 143-164. https://doi.org/10.1017/bec.2019.9
- Maunder, R. D., & White, F. A. (2019). Intergroup contact and mental health stigma: A comparative effectiveness meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 72, 101749. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2019.101749
- Maunder, R. D., White, F. A., & Verrelli, S. (2019). Modern avenues for intergroup contact: Using E-contact and intergroup emotions to reduce stereotyping and social distancing against people with schizophrenia. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 22(7), 947-963. https://doi.org/10.1177/1368430218794873
- Muir, M. M., Drury, H., Tarr, G., & White, F. A. (2019). A strategy for changing academics’ cultural lens: The Knowing Your Students report. In J. Hoffman, P. Blessinger and M. Makhanya. (Eds.), Strategies for Facilitating Inclusive Campuses in Higher Education: International Perspectives on Equity and Inclusion (pp. 145-162). Emerald Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2055-364120190000017011
- Verrelli, S., White, F. A., Harvey, L. J., Pulciani, M. R. (2019). Minority stress, social support, and the mental health of lesbian, gay, and bisexual Australians during the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey. Australian Psychologist, 54(4), 336-346. https://doi.org/10.1111/ap.12380
- Verrelli, S., White, F. A., Harvey, L. J., & Pulciani, M. R. (2019). New research reveals how the marriage equality debate damaged LGBT Australians’ mental health. The Conversation.
https://theconversation.com/new-research-reveals-how-the-marriage-equality-debate-damaged-lgbt-australians-mental-health-110277 - White, F. A., Turner, R. N., Verrelli, S., Harvey, L. J., & Hanna, J. R. (2019). Improving intergroup relations between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland via E-contact. European Journal of Social Psychology, 49(2), 429-438. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.2515
- White, F. A., Verrelli, S., Maunder, R. D., & Kervinen, A. (2019). Using electronic contact to reduce homonegative attitudes, emotions, and behavioral intentions among heterosexual women and men: A contemporary extension of the contact hypothesis. The Journal of Sex Research, 56(9), 1179-1191. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2018.1491943
2018
- Abu-Rayya, H.M., Abu-Rayya, M. H., White, F. A., & Walker, R. (2018). Comparative associations between achieved bicultural identity, achieved ego identity, and achieved religious identity and adaptation among Australian adolescent Muslims. Psychological Reports, 121(2), 324-343. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033294117724448
- Walton, J., Priest, N., Kowal, E., White, F. A., Fox, B., & Paradies, Y. (2018). Whiteness and national identity: Teacher discourses in Australian primary schools. Race Ethnicity and Education, 21(1), 132-147. https://doi.org/10.1080/13613324.2016.1195357
- White, F., Maunder, R. D., & Verrelli, S. (2018). How research is helping to reduce prejudice between people online. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/how-research-is-helping-to-reduce-prejudice-between-people-online-106175
2017
- Chu, E., White, F. A., & Verrelli, S. (2017). Biculturalism amongst ethnic minorities: Its impact for individuals and intergroup relations. Australian Journal of Psychology, 69(4), 229-236. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajpy.12153 (pdf, 496KB)
- White, F. (2017). Solving the mystery of unconscious bias. ECR2STAR. http://ecr2star.org/blog/2017/12/1/solving-the-mystery-of-unconscious-bias
2016
- Abu-Rayya, H. M., Almoty, S., White, F. A., & Abu-Rayya, M. H. (2016). The interconnection between Islamic religiosity and deviancy among Australian Muslim youth: A partial mediation role of life satisfaction. International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 26(4), 337-347. https://doi.org/10.1080/10508619.2016.1157720
- Abu-Rayya, M. H., Walker, R., White, F. A., & Abu-Rayya, H. M. (2016). Cultural identification and religious identification contribute differentially to the adaptation of Australian adolescent Muslims. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 54, 21-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2016.07.002
- Priest, N., Walton, J., White, F., Kowal, E., Fox, B., Paradies, Y. (2016). ‘You are not born being racist, are you?’ Discussing racism with primary aged-children. Race Ethnicity and Education, 19(4), 808-834. https://doi.org/10.1080/13613324.2014.946496
2015
- White, F. A., Abu-Rayya, H. M., Bliuc, A-M, & Faulkner, N. (2015). Emotion expression and intergroup bias reduction between Muslims and Christians: Long-term Internet contact. Computers in Human Behavior, 53, 435-442. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.04.074
- White, F. A., Harvey, L., & Abu-Rayya, H. M. (2015). Improving intergroup relations in the Internet age: A critical review. Review of General Psychology, 19(2), 129-139. https://doi.org/10.1037/gpr0000036
- White, F. A., Harvey, L., & Verrelli, S. (2015). Including both voices: A new bidirectional framework for understanding and improving intergroup relations. Australian Psychologist, 50(6), 421-433. https://doi.org/10.1111/ap.12108
- White, F. A., Hayes, B., & Livesey, D. (2015). Developmental psychology: From infancy to adulthood (4th Ed.). Sydney: Pearson Education Australia.
2014
- Priest, N, Walton, J, White, F. A., Kowal, E, Baker, A, & Paradies, Y. (2014). Understanding the complexities of ethnic-racial socialization processes for both minority and majority groups: A 30-year review. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 43(Part B), 139-155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2014.08.003
- Walton, J., Priest, N., Kowal, E., White, F. A., Brickwood, K., Fox, B., & Paradies, Y. (2014). Talking culture? Egalitarianism, color-blindness and racism in Australian elementary schools. Teaching and Teacher Education, 39, 112-122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2014.01.003
- White, F. A., Abu-Rayya, H., & Weitzel, C. (2014). Achieving twelve-months of intergroup bias reduction: The dual identity-electronic contact (DIEC) experiment. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 38, 158-163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2013.08.002
2013
- Abu-Rayya, H. M., & White. F. A. (2013). Acculturation orientations of Anglo Australians towards Australian Muslims. In A. W Ata (Ed.), Education Integration Challenges: The Case of Australian Muslims (pp. 22-33). David Lovell Publishing.
- White, F. A., Hayes, B., & Livesey, D. (2013). Developmental psychology: From infancy to adulthood (3rd Ed.). Sydney: Pearson Education Australia.
2012
- White, F. A., & Abu-Rayya, H. (2012). A dual identity-electronic contact (DIEC) experiment promoting short- and long-term intergroup harmony. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 48(3), 597-608. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2012.01.007
2010
- Abu-Rayya, H., & White, F. A. (2010). Acculturation orientations and religious identity as predictors of Anglo-Australians' attitudes towards Australian Muslims. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 34(6), 592-599. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2010.02.006
- White, F. A., Hayes, B., & Livesey, D. (2010). Developmental psychology: From infancy to adulthood (2nd Ed.). Sydney: Pearson Education Australia.
2009
- White, F. A., Wootton, B., Man, J., Diaz, H., Rasiah, J., Swift, E., &Wilkinson, A. (2009). Adolescent racial prejudice development: The role of friendship quality and interracial Contact. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 33(6), 524-534. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2009.06.008
2008
- Church, A. T., Anderson-Harumi, C. A., del Prado, A. M., Curtis, G., Tanaka-Matsumi, J., Valdez-Medina, J. L., Mastor, K. A.,White, F. A., Miramontes, L. A., & Katigbak, M. S. (2008). Culture, cross-role consistency, and adjustment: Testing trait and cultural psychology perspectives. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95(3), 739-755. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.95.3.739
- White, F. A., Charles, M., & Nelson, J. (2008). The role of persuasive arguments in changing affirmative action attitudes and expressed behavior in higher education. Journal of Applied Psychology, 93(6), 1271-1286. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0012553
2007
- Marx, B. R., Job, R. F. S., White, F. A., & Wilson, J. C. (2007). Moral comprehension and what it might tell us about moral reasoning and political orientation. Journal of Moral Education, 36(2), 199-219. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057240701325324
- McGrane, J., & White, F. A. (2007). Differences in Anglo and Asian Australians' explicit and implicit prejudice and the attenuation of their implicit in-group bias. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 10(3), 204-210. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-839X.2007.00228.x
2006
- Church, A. T., Katigbak, M.S., del Prado,A, M.,Ortiz, F.A., Mastor, K.A., Hurami, Y., Tanaka-Matsumi, J., Vargas-Flores, J.J., Ibáñez-Reyes, J. White, F. A., Miramontes, L. G. Reyes, J. A.S., & Cabrera, H. F. (2006). Implicit theories and self-perceptions of traitedness across cultures: Toward integration of cultural and trait psychology perspectives. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 37(6), 694-716. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022106292078
- White, F. A., & Gleitzman, M. (2006). An examination of family socialisation processes as moderators of racial prejudice transmission between adolescents and their parents. Journal of Family Studies, 12(2), 247-260. https://doi.org/10.5172/jfs.327.12.2.247
Selected Grants
2025
- RESPECT Against Racism: Advancing new anti-racist educational e-modules, White F, Denson, N, Bodkin-Andrews, G, Walton, J, Hardinge, T, and Curry, H, and Cool.org. Australian Research Council (ARC)/Linkage Projects (LP)
- Digital humans as a mixed-reality solution to real-world racism, White F, Seymour M, Paolini S, Australian Research Council (ARC)/Discovery Projects (DP)
2023
- Promoting social justice principles amongst the general public, Van Golde C, White F, Faculty of Science/Psychology Core Funding
2016
- Antecedents and Consequences of identity fusion for football fans, Gonsalkorale K, White F, School of Psychology/Top-Slice funding under RIBG
2013
- Investigating the relative effectiveness of different contact strategies in improving intergroup relations, White F, DVC Research/Bridging Support Grant
2009
- Cooperative dual identity: A new approach to promote ethnic harmony between Muslim and non-Muslim Australians, Abu-Rayya H, White F, Australian Research Council (ARC)/Discovery Projects (DP)
The SUPIR Lab welcomes both domestic and international candidates to pursue a rewarding higher research degree (including a Doctor of Philosophy or a Master of Science) within The University of Sydney's School of Psychology. The Lab provides students with a supportive and collaborative environment that helps nurture the critical mindset and diligent research approach necessary for them to succeed as future independent researchers.
Fiona White
Professor, Associate Dean, Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science (BLAS)
Fax
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+61 2 9036 5223
Address
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Room 426 Brennan MacCallum A18