I am currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of California, Berkley with joint appointments in the Department of Psychology and with Greater Good Science Center. Before joining UC Berkley, I received my Ph.D. in Social Psychology at University of Massachusetts Amherst. My research has centered on how structured cross‑group dialogue and cooperative activities to reduce feelings of discomfort and foster empathy and belonging—especially in contexts of demographic or political change.

​

To date, most of my work considers how contact-based programs, designed to enhance both communication across group-lines and engage participants in cooperative community projects, support social integration in the United States (Dehrone, et al. in prep), as well as in post-conflict societies such as Rwanda (Dehrone, et al., 2021, 2022) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (Burrows, et al., 2022). My earlier work considers the role that passive exclusion, such as the lack of interest in each other’s welfare, has on respondents’ support for U.S. policies that perpetuate group-based inequality among racial and national groups (Dehrone, 2022; Tropp, Dehrone et al. in prep). Building on this work, my more recent research seeks to better understand how to motivate people to care about the plight of other groups and consider alternative points of view through close and intimate dialogue (Tropp & Dehrone, 2023). I also investigate the downstream consequences high-quality contact for members of racial and ethnic groups’ sense of belonging and inclusion in integrated public settings, especially in contexts with shifting racial demographics (Dehrone, in prep).

​

In addition to my academic expertise, I bring extensive experience translating complex findings for non-academic audiences. I co-authored a policy report on Renewing American Democracy in collaboration with Beyond Conflict, and published practitioner’s guide on how to get started with bridge-building with the American Immigration Council. I’ve also worked in partnership with nonprofit organizations including The Greater Good Science Center, The Trust for Public Land, and others to ensure that real-world bridging programs are backed by scientific research.