Dr Kelly Kirkland

I am a Research Fellow at the University of Queensland and an Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne. My research examines how societal structures and economic inequalities influence psychological and behavioral outcomes, with a particular emphasis on social cohesion and tolerance of moral differences. My work investigates how economic inequality may impact social cooperation and contribute to polarization, aiming to identify ways to foster tolerance within pluralistic societies. My approach is interdisciplinary, drawing from social, developmental, political, and moral psychology, as well as economics. Collaborating with colleagues worldwide, I apply a range of methods including experimental and correlational studies, analysis of large-scale multinational data, social media data, qualitative research, and social simulation studies. This diverse methodology enables a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and societal dynamics.