The Department of Psychology at UWaterloo offers several programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. Our faculty are internationally renowned and our graduate and undergraduate programs are consistently ranked among the top departments in Canada. Our department conducts high-impact research in each of the six major subdivisions of psychology listed below.
Resources
News
I/O Students Sweep Student Awards at 2026 CPA
The I/O area made a clean sweep as students took first prize in all the student award categories at the 2026 Canadian Psychological Association and Dr. Ramona Bobocel was awarded the Distinguished Contributions to I/O Psychology Award from CSIOP.
Drs. Igor Grossmann and Dan Smilek Recognized with 2026 Arts Awards for Excellence
Dr. Igor Grossmann and Dr. Dan Smilek have been recognized with 2026 Arts Awards of Excellence in Research and Teaching, respectively. We look forward to celebrating with both Igor and Dan at the 2026 Celebration of Arts event in the Fall. Congratulations, and thanks to the students and faculty who initiated these nominations!
Humboldt Prize awarded to Dr. Igor Grossmann
The Humboldt prize is awarded to scientists for fundamental discoveries, new theories, or insights with lasting impact.
Events
Jolie Ho's PhD Defence
Jolie Ho's thesis is entitled: "Keeping Others at Arm’s Length: Examining the Contribution of Fears of Receiving Compassion to Safety Behaviour Use and Positivity Deficits in Social Anxiety."
All are welcome to attend.
Sarah English's PhD Defence
Sarah English's thesis is entitled: "Multiple Motivations Underlying Children’s Affiliative Behaviour: The Functional Role of Affiliative Language."
All are welcome to attend.
Jessica Edwards' PhD Defence
Jessica Edwards' thesis is entitled: “The Cognitive-Affective Model of Sexual Consent Communication.”
All are welcome to attend.