Email: micaela.varela@nyu.edu
Program: PhD in Psychology and Social Intervention
Year entered Program: 2021
Research Interests: Intergroup conflict, collective action, social movements, social change, political violence
Principal Advisor(s): Dr. Rezarta Bilali, Dr. Michelle Twali
Research Description/Bio:
Micaela Varela (she/her) is a doctoral student in NYU Steinhardt's Psychology and Social Intervention program. Micaela studies intergroup relations and conflicts using an intersection of social, political, and community psychology. Her research focuses on collective action movements and community building to achieve social change in applied settings. Currently, she is part of the Intergroup Conflict and Social Change Lab. She works with Dr. Bilali and Dr. Michelle Twali on projects related to historical narratives, collective action, social cohesion, and violence prevention in different contexts (e.g., Burkina Faso, the United States, Chile). Before coming to NYU, Micaela graduated as a Psychologist from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC) and worked as a lab manager and research assistant at PUC's Social Psychology Lab.