Sheereen Harris

Research interests

The primary objective of my program of research is to better understand the role of psychological factors on effort-based decision-making related to physical activity and health-promoting behaviours by integrating the fields of psychology and behavioural science.

My research uses a variety of methods including lab-based experiments, mixed-methods studies, and intensive longitudinal data capture methodologies such as Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) and accelerometry to understand people’s behavioural decision-making. My work will help to inform the development and delivery of adaptive and individually tailored interventions promoting healthy decision-making in real-time and real-world contexts.

Graduate supervision and student opportunities

• Research volunteer
• Undergraduate thesis 
• MSc thesis
• Coursework interns
• PhD thesis

Please email me to discuss current available opportunities. 

Graduate studies application details

Teaching, expertise, tools and technologies

• Exercise and health psychology
• Health behaviour change
• Behavioural science
• Mental fatigue
• Motivation
• Ecological momentary assessment (EMA)

Courses

• KIN 453: Applied Sport Psychology

• KIN 471: Exercise Psychology and Physical Activity Behaviour Change

Education

BSc Kinesiology and Health Science, York University

MSc Kinesiology, McMaster University

PhD Kinesiology, McMaster University

PDF Child and Youth Studies, Brock University

Selected publications

See Google Scholar for full list of publications. 

Harris, S. & Bray, S.R. (2023). Investigating real-time physical activity behavior using ecological momentary assessment: Effects of mental fatigue and benefit-cost valuations. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 69, 102499. doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102499

Harris, S., Stratford, P., & Bray, S.R. (2022). Is it really worth the effort? Examining the effects of mental fatigue on physical activity effort discounting. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 44, 409–419. doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2021-0330.

Harris, S. & Bray, S.R. (2021). Mental fatigue, anticipated effort, and subjective valuations of exercising predict choice to exercise or not: A mixed-methods study. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 54, 1–9. doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2021.101924.