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ABOUT ME

With over 10 years of research experience, I've dedicated my career to understanding how culture and society influence individuals' attitudes and behaviors. My experiences range from managing multi-million dollar international studies to extracting actionable insights on diversity and inclusion in the workplace. I adopt a mixed-methods approach in my study designs, employing both quantitative and qualitative research techniques where appropriate. Collaboration is at the heart of my approach, integrating diverse perspectives and lived experiences to ensure that every piece of research is adequately nuanced, meaningful, and actionable.

WORK EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Developmental Psychology

University of California, Riverside

2020

M.A., Psychology

University of California, Riverside

2016

B.A.Psychology (Honors), Spanish

Northwestern College

2013

Research Associate

Pew Research Center

11/2023 -- Present

Research Project Manager

Veris Insights

05/2022 -- 11/2023

Postdoctoral Research Associate & Project Manager

Boston University

09/2020 -- 05/2022

Doctoral Researcher

University of California, Riverside

09/2014 -- 08/2020

Instructor & Teaching Assistant

University of California, Riverside

06/2015 -- 08/2019

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CONTACT INFORMATION

ACADEMIC RESEARCH

In my academic research, I explored how the cultural context shapes how individuals reason and explain the world around them, and how beliefs and attitudes form and change or remain stable. I took a lifespan perspective in much of this work by examining how both children and adults think. 

 

I employed both quantitative and qualitative methods as well as a variety of research designs and techniques to answer research questions, including: longitudinal and cross-sectional designs, experimental and observational studies, focus groups, semi-structured qualitative interviews, surveys, and cognitive tasks.

Selected Publications

Lesage, K.A., & Richert, R.A. (2021). Can God do the impossible? Anthropomorphism  and children's certainty that God can make impossible things possible. Cognitive Development. (PDF)

Richert, R.A.,* Weisman, K., Lesage, K.A., Ghossainy, M.E., Reyes-Jaquez, B., & Corriveau, K.H.* (2022). Belief, culture, & development: Insights from studying the development of religious beliefs and behaviors.  Advances in Child Development and Behavior. (PDF)

Lesage, K.A., Ghossainy, M.E., Richert, R.A. & Corriveau, K.H. (2023, In-Press). Social learning and religion. In J. Tehrani, J. Kendal & R. Kendal (eds.) Oxford Handbook of Cultural Evolution

See a full list of publications here

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