Renowned social and cultural psychologist Stephanie Fryberg joins Northwestern University

Stephanie Fryberg, a renowned social and cultural psychologist, joins Northwestern University’s Department of Psychology and will be affiliated with the Center for Native American and Indigenous Research (CNAIR)

Professor Stephanie Fryberg has joined Northwestern’s Department of Psychology and will be affiliated with the Center for Native American and Indigenous Research (CNAIR).

Stephanie Fryberg is a social psychologist whose work bridges the fields of social and cultural psychology and Indigenous studies. Her earlier research focused on the adverse effects of social representations of Native Americans as well as the harms caused by overlooking Indigenous peoples as subjects of discrimination. Her later research contributions have included school-based intervention research that weaves together culturally responsive teaching with a growth mindset.

“Stephanie Fryberg is an exceptional educator and scholar. Her active and engaged research on the influence of social representations of race, culture, and social class is transforming approaches to Indigenous culture and Indigenous communities themselves,” said Adrian Randolph, Dean of Weinberg College at Northwestern University.

“Joining the esteemed faculty and staff at Northwestern University is truly an honor,” said Stephanie Fryberg. “I am excited to work alongside a strong legacy of Indigenous faculty and social and cultural psychologists who are pushing the boundaries of research and science to fundamentally change the structures fostering societal inequities and poor life outcomes for both Indigenous Peoples and society at large.”

Fryberg’s work has been recognized with numerous awards, including elected membership to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2023, as well as the Distinguished Service to the Field Award by the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI), 2021.

“Stephanie Fryberg is an outstanding scientist whose research is having a major impact on our field and society. She is a leader, both in terms of the strength of her contributions to basic research and in terms of her commitment to equity and diversity,” said Vijay A. Mittal, chair of Northwestern University’s department of psychology and the David S. Holmes Professor of Brain Science. “Professor Fryberg would contribute to our department and Northwestern in general. Her work has influenced the foundational principles of our field. In addition, she is a leading figure in efforts to improve educational prospects for Indigenous people.”

The Research for Indigenous Social Action & Equity Center (RISE), led by Fryberg, will be based at Northwestern University. RISE is a multidisciplinary collaborative of humanists and humanistic social scientists dedicated to undoing Indigenous inequalities that conducts rigorous research to understand Indigenous experiences and uplift Indigenous voices and well-being that addresses the systemic disparities facing these communities to achieve equity for Indigenous Peoples throughout society.

“The RISE team is excited and proud to have a new home for our center and to continue this important work in collaboration with other scholars, activists, and artists at Northwestern and in the surrounding communities,” said Fryberg.

Fryberg’s professional service roles include serving as President of the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, 2019-2020, and as a member of the Council of Representatives of the American Psychological Association, 2017-2019.

“I could not be happier with Professor Fryberg joining us at Northwestern and contributing to the ongoing work of others in Native American and Indigenous studies in Weinberg College and across the University,” said Randolph.