Work
- Behavioural Science Fellow, Innovation & Impact Unit, Government of Canada
- Scientific Consultant, various companies (e.g., Goldman Sachs, National Institute of Sports)
Discoveries
Placebo effects
- Elaborate placebos, such as inert psychedelic pills (Vice) or sham machines, may produce viable treatments for disorders (CBC)
Creativity
- Simply naming unrelated words can reflect verbal creativity (Divergent Association Task, CNN)
Sleep
- Evening light exposure may reduce fatigue and work errors in night shift workers (Night Shift Owl)
Smartphones
- Smartphone addiction is increasing across the world, but a simple behavioural intervention can reduce it (Healthy Screens, TIME Magazine)
Magic
- Applying principles of performance magic, such as how magicians subtly influence audiences (CBC), can be used to improve study methodologies and emulate future neurotechnologies
Recent papers
- Emulating future neurotechnology using magic in Consciousness & Cognition
- The effect of evening light on circadian-related outcomes: A systematic review in Sleep Medicine Reviews
- Creativity and smartphone use: Three correlational studies in International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction
- A nudge-based intervention to reduce problematic smartphone use: Randomised controlled trial in International Journal of Mental Health & Addiction
- Smartphone addiction is increasing across the world: A meta-analysis of 24 countries in Computers in Human Behavior
- Naming unrelated words predicts creativity in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Projects
- Divergent Association Task, a quick measure of verbal creativity
- Healthy Screens, a site to measure and reduce problematic smartphone use
- Million Dollar PhD, a book on graduate funding in Canada
- Uncommon CV, a tool to help researchers complete the Canadian Common CV
- Night Shift Owl, a tool to reduce shift work fatigue (under development)