Personal profile
Research overview
I am a social psychologist specializing in psychology of intergroup relations. Most of my research focuses on: (1) sources of and methods for reducing intergroup bias; (2) the role of collective emotions and ways in which people relate to the history of their social groups in shaping current intergroup attitudes; and (3) the psychological underpinnings of negative and positive intergroup behaviour, e.g., hate crime, collective violence, and collective action. The overarching goal of this research is to employ social psychological knowledge to understand and address challenges burdening diverse societies. In addition, I am currently developing a line of work on the role of social identities (e.g., belonging to different social groups) in shaping people’s health outcomes with a particular interest on recovery from addiction.
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Social Science, The influence of contact with a multicultural past on intergroup attitudes and civic engagement , University of Warsaw
Award Date: 16 May 2017
Master of Arts, Contact or threat? Effects of international student exchange on attitudes towards Muslims in Polish students, University of Warsaw
Award Date: 21 Jul 2011
External positions
Adjunct Research Professor, Carleton University
1 Jul 2022 → …
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Strong leaders, not strongmen: how concern for polarization and collective nostalgia shape leader preference
Wohl, M. J. A., Stefaniak, A., Ungson, N. D. & Packer, D., 1 Apr 2026, In: European Journal of Social Psychology. 56, 3, p. 601-621 21 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
The psychology of offensive and defensive intergroup violence: preregistered insights from 58 countries
Kunst, J. R., Besta, T., Jaśkiewicz, M., Gajda, A. N., Sanden, M., Flatebø, M. M., Adebayo, S. O., Adonis, M., Agyemang, C. B., Boateng, R. A., Akfirat, S. A., Al-Adawi, S., Ambrosio, C., Anjum, G., Aruta, J. J. B. R., Austers, I., Barry, O., Bastian, B., Becker, M. & Bender, M. & 93 others, , 31 Mar 2026, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 123, 13, e2535665123.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Towards a habit-rupture model of intergroup contact in everyday settings
Paolini, S., Dixon, J., Kotzur, P. F., Friehs, M.-T., Bracegirdle, C., Lauterbach, A., Köbrich, J., Graf, S., Kauff, M., Stefaniak, A., Wright, S. C., Barlow, F. K., Luebbering, K. & Harwood, J., 21 Jan 2026, In: Nature Reviews Psychology. 5, p. 136–151 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
When memory meets anxiety: Collective nostalgia (civic- and homogeneity-focused) and collective angst shape strong leader support and voting behaviour
Wohl, M., Tabri, N., Stefaniak, A., Ungson, N. & Packer, D., 24 Apr 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Memory, Mind & Media. 5, e7.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Double standards in the treatment of refugees: why are people more likely to help Ukrainian compared to Syrian refugees?
Stefaniak, A., Echterhoff, G., Tausch, N., Herzog, M., Groß, J., Thölmann, C. & Becker, J., 21 Oct 2025, In: Revista de Psicología Social. 40, 2-3, p. 219-265Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile
Datasets
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Conflict's effect on society's attitudes, beliefs, and behavior during COVID-19
Hebel-Sela, S. (Creator), Stefaniak, A. (Creator), Vandermeulen, D. (Creator), Adler, E. (Creator), Hameiri, B. (Creator) & Halperin, E. (Creator), OSF, 2023
Dataset
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Collective narcissism and solidarity-based collective action
Gorska, P. (Creator), Lipowska, K. (Creator), Malinowska, K. (Creator), Stefaniak, A. (Creator), Maciantowicz, O. (Creator), Budziszewska, M. (Creator) & Marchlewska, M. (Creator), OSF, 2022
Dataset
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Collective nostalgia for traditional gender roles and support for gender equality among men
Stefaniak, A. (Creator) & Wohl, M. (Creator), OSF, 2025
Dataset
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Vicarious contact and collective action for a disadvantaged outgroup (dataset)
Górska, P. (Creator), Karaś, U. (Creator) & Stefaniak, A. (Creator), OSF, 2023
Dataset
Activities
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Men have changed: The valence of gender role discontinuity and collective nostalgia shape men's support for gender equality
Stefaniak, A. (Speaker)
2 Sept 2024 → 4 Sept 2024Activity: Talk or presentation types › Presentation
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European Association of Social Psychology Small Group Meeting
Stefaniak, A. (Participant)
25 Aug 2024 → 27 Aug 2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in or organising a conference
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Aurora leadership development initiative for women in academia
Stefaniak, A. (Participant)
2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in or organising a workshop, seminar, course
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Collective nostalgia for traditional gender relations undermines men's support for gender equality
Stefaniak, A. (Speaker)
9 Jul 2023 → 11 Jul 2023Activity: Talk or presentation types › Presentation
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I love the way we were: Collective nostalgia contents and their implications
Stefaniak, A. (Speaker)
30 Jun 2023 → 4 Jul 2023Activity: Talk or presentation types › Presentation
Prizes
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University of Warsaw Dean's Award
Stefaniak, A. (Recipient) & Bilewicz, M. (Recipient), 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)