Laurier's Lazaridis professor wins New Researcher Award

Sept. 30, 2020

Wilfrid Laurier University professor Lindie Liang has been awarded the 2020 Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) President’s New Researcher Award. Liang’s novel research, focusing in the areas of leadership, workplace aggression, motivation, and emotions, was noted by CPA for its outstanding quality and as a significant contribution to psychology in Canada.

Liang is an assistant professor of organizational behaviour and human resource management in Laurier’s Lazaridis School of Business and Economics.

“Professor Liang’s track record is exemplary for an early career researcher,” said Micheál J. Kelly, dean of the Lazaridis School. “We are very proud of her recognition by a foremost association and her commitment to producing relevant and insightful analysis in the field of Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management. Her dedication and collegiality are a model for all junior faculty at the Lazaridis School to follow.”

Since joining Lazaridis School in 2017, Liang has taken painstaking effort to collect and analyze data from various sources and across multiple cultures to produce impactful research, also covering the domains self-control to cybernetic theories. Her findings not only contribute to the knowledge of workplace behavior, but also to the fundamental understanding of human nature.

“I am very honoured to be receiving this prize,” said Liang. “It’s rewarding and humbling to be recognized for my work in the field of organizational psychology. I remember distinctly that my very first academic presentation at the Canadian Psychology Association convention was 10 years ago, and I can truly say that at the time I did not even dream of receiving this prestigious award a decade later.”

Liang’s work has been published in leading academic journals in the field of management and psychology (e.g., Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Applied Psychology), and her research has been featured in media outlets such as BBC news, CBC news, The Star, The Times, and Wall Street Journal. She has also received numerous research awards, notably the 2018 Ig Nobel Prize in Economics—"honouring achievements that first make people laugh, and then make them think”—for demonstrating the benefit of employing Voodoo dolls as an act of retaliation against despotic managers.

An effective and a compassionate colleague, Liang recognizes the importance of fellowship and cooperation across disciplines to bring her work to fruition.

“During my career, I have had the privilege to work with amazing mentors, collaborators, colleagues, and students, and I’m truly grateful for all their support along the way,” said Liang.

Founded in 1939, CPA has become Canada’s major “national association for the science, practice and education of psychology.” Its 7,000 members and affiliates strive to “advance research, knowledge and the application of psychology in the service of society through advocacy, support and collaboration.” Aiming to improve the overall health and welfare of Canadian citizens, CPA envisions “a society where understanding of diverse human needs, behaviours and aspirations drive legislation, policies and programs for individuals, organizations and communities.”