SFU experts on Valentine's Day

CONTACT:
Lara Aknin, Department of Psychology, 778.782.9563, laknin@sfu.ca
Yuthika Girme, Department of Psychology, 778.782.4701, ygirme@sfu.ca
Carman Neustaedter, School of Interactive Arts & Technology, carman@sfu.ca
Braden McMillan, Communications & Marketing, 778.782.3210, bradenm@sfu.ca

Simon Fraser University experts are available to speak to topics such as gift-giving, long-distance relationships, and more leading up to Valentine’s Day:

Psychology professor Lara Aknin is available to speak on gift-giving and receiving, including impacts, perceptions, motivations, and ultimately the role gifts play in dating and relationships.

Lara Aknin, Department of Psychology, 778.782.9563, laknin@sfu.ca

Yuthika Girme is the director of the psychology department’s Supporting Relationships and Wellbeing Lab (REWE). The lab looks at the role of relationships in the psychological and physiological well-being of singles and couples. Girme can speak to romantic relationships, what attracts people to partners, attachment, intimacy, jealousy, infidelity, and well… divorce and couples therapy.

Yuthika Girme, Department of Psychology, 778.782.4701, ygirme@sfu.ca

Carman Neustaedter is the director of SFU’s Connections Lab, a research group in the School of Interactive Arts and Technology (SIAT). The lab focuses on the design and use of technologies that support everyday life. Recently, researchers studied a long distance couple who use a telepresence robot that interacts with voice assisted/smart devices in the home, e.g., Google Home, Alexa. This allows a partner who is away from home to connect with their partner at home, and control things like light switches and cooking pots. 

Carman Neustaedter, School of Interactive Arts & Technology, carman@sfu.ca

About Simon Fraser University:

As Canada’s engaged university, SFU works with communities, organizations and partners to create, share and embrace knowledge that improves life and generates real change. We deliver a world-class education with lifelong value that shapes change-makers, visionaries and problem-solvers. We connect research and innovation to entrepr eneurship and industry to deliver sustainable, relevant solutions to today’s problems. With campuses in British Columbia’s three largest cities – Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey – SFU has eight faculties that deliver 193 undergraduate degree programs and 127 graduate degree programs to more than 35,000 students. The university now boasts more than 160,000 alumni residing in 143 countries.

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