Postgraduate students
PhD
JD Bowman
Email: jd.bowman@otago.ac.nz
Thesis title: Controversial Topics at the University of Otago
JD is a PhD Candidate for Psychology and in training to become a Clinical Psychologist at the University of Otago. His research is currently focused toward assessing the 'free speech climate' on university campuses in New Zealand. JD writes The Delinquent Academic Substack, where he posts updates on his research, and offers insights on culture, philosophy, and psychology. When he is not researching and writing, JD enjoys making music, going skiing, and of course, obsessing over the finer details of the greatest game on Earth, cricket.
Ryan Hartman
Email: ryan.hartman@otago.ac.nz
Thesis title: Implications of Mind-Body Dualism
Navdeep Kaur
Email: kauna685@student.otago.ac.nz
Thesis title: The Role of Materials in the Evolution of Religious Belief
I am 3rd year PhD student who studies how religious artifacts, shaped by material constraints, may influence beliefs and practices with case studies on Indian Buddha statues, pre-industrial religious architecture, and the sensory influence of communion wine. My work on pre-industrial religious structures and religious practices is supported by a US$20,125 subgrant from the John Templeton Foundation. In addition to my core research, I am deeply interested in the intersections of policymaking and gender inequality. Outside the lab, you will find me cooking Indian food for friends, dancing Latin styles, and exploring museums.
Hashini Madarasinge
Email: hashini.madarasinge@postgrad.otago.ac.nz
Thesis title: The Relationship Between Individualism, Collectivism and Visual Perspective Taking
I am a PhD student from Italy specialising in cross-cultural research, with a focus on exploring the relationship between Individualism/Collectivism and visual perspective-taking (a key aspect of the Theory of Mind) across diverse populations.
Victor Okoro
Email: victor.okoro@postgrad.otago.ac.nz
Thesis title: Insider threat, intention discernment, and intention–behaviour dynamics
Victor C. Okoro is a PhD researcher at the University of Otago, working in both the Social Cognition Lab led by Professor Jamin Halberstadt, and the Action, Brain, and Cognition Lab led by Prof. Elizabeth Franz. His research delves into the areas of insider threats, intention discernment, and intention-behavior dynamics, all from a psychological perspective. Victor's work is distinguished by its focus on the empirical discernment of intention using psychophysiological and behavioral measures. His broader research interests span social, cognitive, and organisational psychology, reflecting a holistic approach to understanding human behavior in complex and often high stakes contexts.
Victor earned his bachelor’s degree (First class) in Psychology from Lead City University, Nigeria, followed by a master’s degree (cum laude) in Psychology from the University of Twente, Netherlands. His academic journey has been complemented by entrepreneurial experience, having founded a tech startup in the Netherlands. His passion for bridging the gap between research and real-world applications earned him a spot in the prestigious 2024 KiwiNet Emerging Innovator Programme, which recognises researchers who are poised to commercialise their work and make tangible impacts beyond the academic sphere.
Unlike traditional academic paths, Victor is keen on exploring the practical applicability of his research and hopes his findings can be used to address real-world problems, particularly in organizational settings where understanding human intention and behavior is crucial.
Cassie Ransom
Email: cassie.ransom@otago.ac.nz
Thesis title: Investigating Privacy Motives
I am interested in understanding what drives peoples' privacy concerns - that is, what people are trying to protect when they talk about 'privacy'. I am in my third year of my PhD on the psychology of privacy. In my spare time, I enjoy painting, furniture restoration, cooking, and drinking coffee with friends.
Master's
Hem Chokshi
Email: chohe613@student.otago.ac.nz
Thesis title: The Relationship Between Concrete Representation, Creativity and Abstract Thinking
Born in India, I have spent most of my life learning to balance the heritage I was born into and the culture I was raised in, in the tiny town of Palmerston North. Growing up, I have always had a fond liking of the arts, including theatre, dance, and literature. I am currently in the 2nd year of my MSc, Majoring in Psychology, at the University.
My research interests this year aim to investigate the relationship between concrete representation, creativity, and abstract thinking. Does concrete representation impair creativity? I hope to find answers to this question soon.
Sofia Hammer
Email: hamso500@student.otago.ac.nz
Thesis title: Reducing Social Media’s Effects on Male Body Image Through a Functionality-Focused Approach
I am a fifth-year student currently pursuing a one-year master's by thesis, following the completion of my Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Management and my Bachelor of Science with Honours in 2024. My research focuses on mitigating the impact of social media on body image, particularly in males, as I am passionate about addressing underrepresented groups in psychological research. Outside of academia, I enjoy fishing, diving, and anything related to the ocean. I also have a deep appreciation for art and music, including playing the guitar.
JP Pearman
Email: peajp761@student.otago.ac.nz
Thesis title: Mindful Construal’s: Do Mindfulness Practices Change Construal’s of Near/Distant Future Events?
I am a 34-year-old builder from Ashburton, currently in my 2nd year of the Clinical Psychology Program. I became interested in study when I began to engage in meditative reflection and Eastern philosophies, culminating in a bachelor’s majoring in psychology and philosophy. I am pursuing my master’s with Jamin in the SoCog lab that looks to better understand mindfulness and how it might influence the way we perceive, comprehend, and interpret events. I am also a practicing trainee within the Clinical Psychology Centre ( CPC ) and spent the year building and learning many new skills, including mindfulness practices. I am currently finalising my internship for 2025 with both Child, Adolescent, and Family Mental Health Services ( CAFMHS ) and North community Mental health Services ( NCMHS ) to finish my final year before registration with the psychology board.
Honour's
Hannah Hoskin
Email: hosha762@student.otago.ac.nz
Thesis title: Thinking About Health
I am in the Honour’s year of a Psychology major. I grew up in Central Otago and my interests outside of the lab include good views, good people and good food. Research Interests: This year, I am looking at ways we can promote positive attitudes towards exercise. Specifically, the framing of promotional messages to align with a person's stage of behaviour change (Prochaska's Transtheoretical Model) and subsequent psychological distance (Trope's Construal Level Theory).
Yani Du Plessis
Email: dupya362@student.otago.ac.nz
Thesis title: Metamemory for Different Faces: Priming National Pride
Coming originally from South Africa, I am currently in my third year of an undergraduate degree at Otago, majoring in Psychology. Outside of the lab I enjoy mountain biking, tramping and community volunteering.
My undergraduate research is investigating how nationalism (identification with Aotearoa New Zealand) influences the Cross Race Effect (the tendency to remember ingroup faces better than out group faces) in peoples metamemory.
Undergraduate students
- Stella Mooney
Email: moost694@student.otago.ac.nz
Thesis title: Caricatures, Memory and Trustworthiness - Ava O’Dwyer
Email: odwav925@student.otago.ac.nz
Thesis title: Hyperchoice and Creativity