People
Lab Director
Michael Schmitt
Pronouns: he/him
Michael T. Schmitt is a Professor of Social Psychology at Simon Fraser University, where he has worked since 2005. His background is in collective identity and intergroup relations from a social identity theory perspective. He teaches courses and conducts research on the application of social psychology to climate change and climate justice. In particular, he is interested in understanding what motivates people to engage in activism and work for social change. Michael’s current work applies a social identity lens to climate change and other environmental problems. He enjoys reading sci-fi and playing the ukulele.
Email: mschmitt@sfu.ca
Lab Manager
Elaina (El) Buenaventura
Pronouns: they/them
Hello! My name is Elaina (I also go by El for short). I am a second generation, queer Filipino who grew up riding a bike along the Coquitlam River in Kwikwetlem territories (what's also known as Port Coquitlam). I hold a Bachelor of Arts with a major in psychology and minor in dialogue in communication from SFU. After a couple of years volunteering as an RA with the SISC lab, I feel fortunate to be working as the lab's coordinator to continue supporting and learning from the folx in the lab about the intersections between environmental and social justice. As a settler to these lands, I value accountability and am trying to work towards good relations with the broader ecosystems and its inhabitants (humans included) to ensure current and future generations live in homes that meet their needs in just and sustainable ways. I am slowly tranisitioning into thinking about becoming a therapist or counsellor to learn and practice mental health care and advocacy for myself and my close community. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with friends, dancing, and playing volleyball.
Email: esb2@sfu.ca
Graduate Students
Jonathan Mendel
Pronouns: he/him
Annika Lutz
Pronouns: she/her
Hello! My name is Annika (she/her) and I am a PhD student working with Dr. Michael Schmitt to investigate what motivates people to engage in environmental activism and support climate change policies. Specifically, much of my research explores how visions for a more equitable and sustainable world impact people’s support for pro-environmental social change. I understand climate change as an issue of intersecting environmental and social injustices, and I am interested in working together with communities and non-profits to conduct research that supports the climate justice movement. To that end, I draw on various research methods, from open-science and quantitative approaches to in-depth qualitative research.
Email: annika_lutz@sfu.ca
Elyse Collyer
Pronouns: she/her
Hi! My name is Elyse Collyer (she/her). I am a Master's student working with Dr. Michael Schmitt researching the connection between social and environmental justice and the behavioral implications of this connection. Specifically, my Master's work focuses on creating a game-style intervention to educate participants about the co-benefits of climate action to increase behaviors that benefit both people and the planet. This work builds off previous research completed during my Honors B.A. in Psychology at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota. My career goals include working with communities to promote co-beneficial pro-environmental action for a sustainable and just future.
Shanna Li
Pronouns: she/her
Hello! My name is Shanna and I’m a MA student in Law and Forensic Psychology where I’m completing my thesis under the supervision of Dr. Michael Schmitt and Dr. Nicole Muir. I previously completed my BA Honours in Psychology at SFU. My research primarily focuses on youth within the criminal justice system, and the use of violence risk assessment tools with BIPOC youth. Outside of school, I enjoy collecting houseplants and taking care of my betta fish.
Research Assistants
Hanna Chan
Pronouns: she/her
Hi there! I am Hanna. I am currently a research assistant at the SISC Lab. After completing my undergraduate studies, I decided to stick around the lab to enrich myself in an academic environment. Looking ahead, I hope to pursue graduate studies either in Social Psychology or Forensic Psychology. My research interests include biases and judgements in the legal system, wrongful convictions, psychology in social and political movements, and social cognition. Outside of my studies, I have taken up ice skating recently and have been thoroughly enjoying it!
Rebecca Wagner
Pronouns: she/her
I am a 3rd year Psychology major at SFU, currently volunteering as a research assistant in the Sustainability, Identity and Social Change Lab and the Adolescent Health Lab. My goal is to pursue graduate studies in Clinical Psychology, after completing my undergraduate degree. My current research interests include the impact of attachment style, ACEs and family systems on wellbeing and close relationships, with focus on adolescent and young adult health, risk prevention and addiction, as well as intersectionality and environmentalism.
Melanie Nichele
Pronouns: she/her
Hello! My name is Melanie and I'm currently a research assistant at the SISC lab. I'm in my fourth year of my psychology degree with a minor in counselling and human development. In the future, I'm hoping to pursue graduate studies in clinical psychology with the ultimate goal of becoming a clinician. I'm currently interested in researching how fostering social connection and understanding can influence pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours. Outside of studies, I enjoy reading novels, practicing my sewing skills, and exploring local trails.
Aliyah Ahmad
Pronouns: she/her
Ayelet Pango Salas
Pronouns: they/she/he
Krystal Issa
Pronouns: she/her
