Professor Karen Douglas
Professor of Social Psychology
About
Professor Karen Douglas is a Professor of Social Psychology.
Research interests
Karen studies the psychology of conspiracy theories. Her research examines why conspiracy theories appeal to so many people, and the consequences of conspiracy theories for individuals, groups, and society.
Conspiracy theory research database
This is a database of the current academic literature on conspiracy theories, and literature on other closely-related topics. Production was supported by the Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats (ESRC Award: ES/N009614/1). We intend to keep it up to date and re-post every three months. If you have any updates you would like to include, or notice any sources missing, please complete this form.Media coverage
Coverage of Karen's research includes the following:
- The Conversation
- The Conversation
- The Observer
- Huffington Post
- New York Post
- Daily Mail
- stuff.co.nz
- Daily Mail
- CNN
- Newsweek
- BBC Future
- Psychology Today
- Psychology Today
- Time
- Bustle
- Daily Mail
Karen is available for media interviews via the University's press office (pressoffice@kent.ac.uk) or 01227 823985.
Teaching
SP302 - Introduction to social and developmental psychology
SP619 - The social psychology of groups
Supervision
Current research students
- Irem Eker (2nd supervisor): TBA
- Ricky Green (1st supervisor)
- Kenzo Nera: TBA
(co-supervised with Olivier Klein at the Université libre de Bruxelles)
Past research students
- Dr Clara De Inocencio Laporta: Toward a comprehensive theory of career callings
- Dr Varoth Chotipitayasunondh: Understanding phubbing: the truth on phone snubbing behaviour
- Dr Daniel Jolley: Social psychological consequences of conspiracy theories
- Dr Michael Wood: Understanding beliefs in conspiracy theories
- Dr Yvonne Skipper: The effects of different forms of praise and criticism on reactions to success and failure
- Dr Jennifer Cole: How impressions of persons are shaped by their descriptions of others. (Co-supervisor with Robbie Sutton)
- Dr Tracey Elder: The effects of context on perceptions of and reactions to, group criticism.
Professional
Grants and awards
| Jan 2022 - Dec 2026 | K. Douglas European Research Council Consequences of conspiracy theories | EUR 2,499,185 |
| 2021 - 2023 | M. Hornsey, K. Sassenberg, J. Jetten & K. Douglas Australian Research Council The psychology of understanding and reducing conspiracy beliefs | AU$282,000 |
| 2019 | R. Sutton, K. Dhont, Z. Bergstrom & K. Douglas Leverhulme Trust Moral memory bias about the sentience of animals | £192,118 |
| 2018 | D. Jolley, Y. Skipper & K. Douglas British Academy/Leverhulme Trust Measuring adolescents’ beliefs in conspiracy theories | £9,588 |
| 2016 | K. Douglas, R. Sutton, A. Cichocka, J. Ang and F. Deravi ESRC/CREST Understanding conspiracy theories | £56,272 |
| 2014 | F. Deravi, J. Ang and K. Douglas Roke Manor Research Ltd. Personality and social networking activity | £31,389 |
| 2014 | R. Sutton and K. Douglas Centre for Defence Enterprise Multiple social identities | £7,000 |
| 2012 | K.Douglas Centre for Defence Enterprise Influence and critical thinking | £5,000 |
| 2012 | J. Ang, F. Deravi and K. Douglas Centre for Defence Enterprise Cognitive and behavioural concepts of cyber activities | £31,379 |
| 2012 | J. Ang, F. Deravi and K. Douglas Centre for Defence Enterprise Social influence and social networking activity | £32,881 |
| 2010 | K. Douglas European Social Cognition Network Intercultural communication - expert meeting | EUR 9,000 |
| July 2008-July 2009 | R. Sutton and K. Douglas Economic and Social Research Council Making a difference? Understanding the impacts of group criticism. | £101,145 |
| May 2008-May 2009 | R. Sutton, K. Douglas and M. Hornsey Australian Research Council Negotiating the minefield: Social conventions surrounding group criticism and their role in explaining defensiveness. | AU $72,129 |
| Feb 2007-Jan 2008 | K. Douglas and R. Sutton Economic and Social Research Council Understanding and altering perceptions of personal ‘invulnerability’ to persuasive advertising | £87,591 |
| Sept 2005-Sept 2006 | R. Sutton and K. Douglas Economic and Social Research Council 'Us' versus 'Them': Reactions to speakers' use of language regarding groups | £46,566 |
| Sept 2004-Sept 2005 | K. Douglas and R. Sutton Economic and Social Research Council Inhibiting the expression of linguistic biases and stereotypes | £48,505 |
| Jan 2004-June 2004 | K. Douglas and R. Sutton British Academy Bias and stereotyping in language | £2,000 |
Other service
- Co-editor for a special issue of the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology (2022)
- Co-editor for a special issue of the Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology (2021)
- Associate Editor for the British Journal of Psychology (2021-present)
- Editorial board for Advances in Political Psychology (2021-present)
- Editorial board for Social Psychology and Personality Compass (2020-present)
- Associate editor for Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin (2019-2021)
- Co-editor for a special issue of the European Journal of Social Psychology (2018)
- Co-editor for the British Journal of Social Psychology (2014-2017)
- Associate Editor for the British Journal of Social Psychology (2012-2013)
- Associate Editor for the European Journal of Social Psychology (2009-2011)
- Associate Editor for Social Psychology (2008-2011)
- Co-editor for a special issue of the Journal of Language and Social Psychology (2008)
Last updated