Psychology

News Stories

A woman stares up at a gray sky

What is climate anxiety?

July 28, 2023

Expert Q&A with environmental psychologist Dr. Lindsay McCunn VIU Psychology Professor Dr. Lindsay McCunn Dr. Lindsay McCunn is a VIU Psychology Professor and the Director of VIU’s Environmental Psychology Research Lab. In her role as chair of the environmental psychology section of the Canadian Psychological Association, and as the co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Environmental... Read more


Travis Baker in his lab

Creating the next generation of treatments for substance abuse disorders

January 23, 2023

VIU Psychology alum Dr. Travis Baker receives $2.5-million grant for research Little did Dr. Travis Baker know when he first came to Vancouver Island University more than 20 years ago that it would be the start of a successful career in researching new treatments for addiction. Now an Assistant Professor at Rutgers University-Newark’s Centre for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, he recently... Read more


Emmerson Pollard

VIU Psychology Student Researching Stress, Resilience in Romantic Relationships of Firefighters

February 28, 2022

Emmerson Pollard is investigating how romantic relationships impact firefighters’ ability to cope with stress. Whether it’s work-related stress, a family issue, financial worries or an unexpected challenge, all romantic relationships have their ups and downs. And while much has been written about relationship challenges in general, Vancouver Island University (VIU) student Emmerson Pollard is... Read more


Katelyn Horsley

Alum of the Month: Katelyn Horsley

January 26, 2022

VIU Psychology alum Katelyn Horsley is pursuing a graduate science degree with an undergraduate degree in the arts. After graduating from Vancouver Island University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts, Honours in Psychology, she began a Master of Science degree at the University of Calgary. Horsley credits her undergraduate experiences at VIU with setting her on her current journey. Why did you... Read more


Dr. Lindsay McCunn smiles at the viewer while wearing a grey blazer and shirt.

VIU Researcher Investigates Hospital Design Elements to Improve Employee Well-being

May 20, 2021

VIU researcher surveying Island Health employees working in Cowichan District Hospital to understand what physical architectural features make a difference in their work satisfaction and well-being.  Vancouver Island University (VIU) Psychology Professor Dr. Lindsay McCunn is working with Island Health on a research project that could help the hospital replacement planning team consider which... Read more


Photo of VIU alumna Megan Yim smiling at the camera

Alum of the Month: Megan Yim

January 14, 2021

Dr. Megan Yim (Bachelor of Arts ’15, Major in Psychology) is passionate about helping people reach their full health potential. Yim, who went on to complete a master’s degree in experimental neuropsychology at the University of Victoria and then a Doctor of Chiropractic from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto, is now working as a chiropractor at Backfit Clinic in Victoria,... Read more


a person holds a face mask in their hands, while wearing gloves

VIU Professors Examine the Social Impacts of Wearing Masks

November 6, 2020

Expert Commentary: As the number of businesses and organizations implementing mask-wearing policies and guidelines increases, we were curious about some of the effects of this new way of interacting with one another. Dr. Lindsay McCunn, a VIU Psychology Professor, and Maureen O’Connor, a VIU Bachelor of Science in Nursing Professor, share some thoughts. Wearing a mask is one way to minimize the... Read more


VIU research will study rising stresses on fragile mountain ecosystems

VIU Research Will Study Rising Stresses on Fragile Mountain Ecosystems

July 22, 2019

VIU researchers launch far-reaching study on Mount Arrowsmith in collaboration with The Canadian Mountain Network.  A team of Vancouver Island University (VIU) researchers is ascending to new heights for an in-depth analysis that will project 100 years into the future to get a better understanding of what is happening in our mountain environments. One-quarter of Canada’s land mass is made up of... Read more


Alumni of the Month: Dr. Rosendo Da Costa

May 7, 2018

When Dr. Rosendo Da Costa moved to Canada from India at the young age of 16 to study at VIU, culture shock took a heavy toll. At first, his grades suffered as he struggled to adjust to life in a very different country from where he grew up, but Da Costa found a welcoming, supportive environment at Vancouver Island University (VIU). After graduating in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts, Major in... Read more