Portrait of Professor Karen Douglas

Professor Karen Douglas

Professor of Social Psychology

About

Karen Douglas is a Professor of Social Psychology.
She is currently the director of the ERC-funded project "CONSPIRACY_FX - Consequences of conspiracy theories".

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:
Karen is available for media interviews via the University's press office (pressoffice@kent.ac.uk) or 01227 823985.

Teaching

  • PSYC3020 - Introduction to Social and Developmental Psychology
  • PSYC6190 - 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 2026K. Douglas
European Research Council
Consequences of conspiracy theories		EUR 2,499,185
2021 - 2023M. Hornsey, K. Sassenberg, J. Jetten & K. Douglas
Australian Research Council
The psychology of understanding and reducing conspiracy beliefs		AU$282,000
2019R. Sutton, K. Dhont, Z. Bergstrom & K. Douglas
Leverhulme Trust
Moral memory bias about the sentience of animals		£192,118
2018D. Jolley, Y. Skipper & K. Douglas
British Academy/Leverhulme Trust
Measuring adolescents’ beliefs in conspiracy theories		£9,588
2016K. Douglas, R. Sutton, A. Cichocka, J. Ang and F. Deravi
ESRC/CREST
Understanding conspiracy theories		£56,272
2014F. Deravi, J. Ang and K. Douglas
Roke Manor Research Ltd.
Personality and social networking activity		£31,389
2014R. Sutton and K. Douglas
Centre for Defence Enterprise
Multiple social identities		£7,000
2012K.Douglas
Centre for Defence Enterprise
Influence and critical thinking		£5,000
2012J. Ang, F. Deravi and K. Douglas
Centre for Defence Enterprise
Cognitive and behavioural concepts of cyber activities		£31,379
2012J. Ang, F. Deravi and K. Douglas
Centre for Defence Enterprise
Social influence and social networking activity		£32,881
2010K. Douglas
European Social Cognition Network
Intercultural communication - expert meeting		EUR 9,000
July 2008-July 2009R. Sutton and K. Douglas
Economic and Social Research Council
Making a difference? Understanding the impacts of group criticism.		£101,145
May 2008-May 2009R. 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 2008K. Douglas and R. Sutton
Economic and Social Research Council
Understanding and altering perceptions of personal ‘invulnerability’ to persuasive advertising		£87,591
Sept 2005-Sept 2006R. 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 2005K. Douglas and R. Sutton
Economic and Social Research Council
Inhibiting the expression of linguistic biases and stereotypes		£48,505
Jan 2004-June 2004K. 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)
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