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
The First Annual Robert J. Glushko Undergraduate Prize in Cognitive Science
Awarded annually to the best thesis or major paper in Cognitive Science at the University of Waterloo. The Prize recognizes an original contribution to any field of Cognitive Science; work that transcends disciplines is encouraged but not required. Selection will be based on the originality and excellence of the contribution to our understanding of the mind and on demonstrated independence in making that contribution.
PDC 2026: A Day of Discovery, Community, and Coffee
The 2026 Psychology Discovery Conference (PDC), held on April 14th, was a resounding success, bringing together over 150 attendees for a dynamic celebration of psychology research.
Dr. Christine Purdon elected to CPA Fellow
The Psychology Department is pleased to announce that Dr. Christine Purdon was elected to be a CPA Fellow. This distinction is reserved for members who have made a distinguished contribution to the advancement of the discipline of psychology and have given exceptional service to their national or provincial associations.
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.