Dr Melissa Pavetich

Academic Leadership and Affiliations:

• Center for Inequalities, University of Greenwich, affiliate
• AFHEA
• MBpSS

Qualifications:

• PhD Social Psychology, University of Greenwich, 2019
• BA(Hons) Psychology, Laurentian University, 2015

Melissa Pavetich is an Assistant Professor of social psychology with a research focus on social and political psychology, particularly intergroup relations and meta-perceptions. Her work aims to understand and bridge the perspectives of majority and minority groups to reduce prejudice and improve intergroup relations.

Melissa's doctoral research made a groundbreaking contribution to the limited field of meta-(de)humanization, demonstrating that meta-humanization can reduce hostility and foster positive attitudes and behaviors. Building on this foundation, she is currently the principal investigator of a research project examining morality and intergroup emotions between left- and right-wing partisans in the context of meta-(de)humanization.

Melissa has been awarded over £60,000 in competitive research funding grants from various prestigious organizations, including the University of Greenwich, Santander, and the British Psychological Society. These grants have supported her innovative investigations and furthered her contributions to the field.

In recognition of her significant research contributions and effective dissemination, Melissa has received several awards. Her research not only advances theoretical understanding but also has practical implications for reducing intergroup conflict and enhancing social harmony.

Through her rigorous and impactful work, Melissa continues to shape the field of social and political psychology, providing valuable insights into the mechanisms of prejudice reduction and the improvement of intergroup relations. Her dedication to research excellence and her ability to secure substantial funding underscore her position as a leading scholar in her field.

Stathi, S., Hall, V., Bagci, C., & Pavetich, M. (2023). Face-to-face versus digital intergroup contact: Links with diversity attitudes, social self-efficacy, self-expansion, and loneliness. Testing, Psychometrics, and Methodology in Applied Psychology, 31 (1). pp. 5-23. doi:https://doi.org/10.4473/TPM31.1.1

Pavetich, M. & Stathi, S. (2021). Investigating antecedents of Islamophobia: The role of perceived control over terrorism, threat, meta-dehumanization, and dehumanization. Journal of Community and Applied Psychology, https://doi.org/10.1002/casp.2512

Pavetich, M. & Stathi, S. (2020). Meta-humanization reduces prejudice, even under high intergroup threat. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000259

Satchell, L., Fido, D., Harper, C., Shaw, H., Davidson, B., Ellis, D., Hart, C., Jalil, R., Bartoli, A., Kaye, L., Lancaster, G., & Pavetich, M. (2020). Development of an Offline-Friend Addiction Questionnaire (O-FAQ): Are most people really social addicts? Behaviour Research Methods. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-020-01462-9                

Stathi, S., Pavetich, M., di Bernardo, G.A., Cadamuro, A., Cocco, V., & Vezzali, L. (2020). Intergroup fears and concerns among minority and majority groups: Implications for contact and attitudes. Journal of Community Psychology, 48(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22322

Pavetich, M. (2019). Overcoming challenges of funding a PhD programme. Social Psychological Review. 21(1). https://shop.bps.org.uk/publications/publication-by-series/social-psychological-review/social-psychological-review-vol-21-no-1-spring-2019.htm