DYSC Lab

02/12/2026

Curious about what it’s like to do Honours thesis research in our lab? We got you covered! Read our latest publication, co-authored by three of our student alumni, where we describe our experiences with the mentoring process from a supervisor and student perspective.

This observation and commentary provides mentor and mentee perspectives on feminist mentoring in psychology. Consistent with our research lab's focus, we a...

04/05/2025

Present at the Annual SMU Psychology Student Conference - Check! Congratulations to DYSC Lab members Mia, Danielle, and Katrina on their successful presentations!

08/04/2024

At ISRA 2024 in Munich! Dr. Closson presented DYSC Lab research on relational victimization in emerging adults’ friendships and romantic relationships. Beautiful conference venue at LMU! SMU Psychology Department SMU Science

07/25/2024

Hello from Prague! At ICP 2024, Dr. Closson presented DYSC Lab research on cultural competence among youth in community-based positive youth development programming. SMU Psychology Department SMU Science

04/06/2024

This amazing bunch totally rocked their presentations at the SMU Psychology Conference! Congrats to Sally, Rita, Michelle, and Lori!

Sally McGhee won the FIRST place prize, and Rita Jabbour won for SECOND best presentation!

SMU Psychology Department SMU Science

10/03/2023

The DYSC Lab at the SMU Psychology Department, directed by Dr. Leanna Closson, is seeking participants for a study about how strategies used to achieve interpersonal goals predict social, emotional, and psychological health. Participants will be asked to complete an anonymous online survey that should take approximately 25 minutes to complete. You are eligible to participate if you are between the ages of 18 and 25. If you know someone else who might be interested in participating in this study, please feel free to share. Please click the link to redirect you to the survey:

https://dysclab.wixsite.com/website/healthyrelationshipssurvey

SMU Science

05/19/2023

Congrats to DYSC Lab member, Allison!

SMU Science Honours Psychology student Allison Vandaele won the Faculty of Science Gold Medal for highest GPA in the graduating class at today's convocation Saint Mary's University Halifax.
Congratulations, Allison!

04/01/2023

It’s that time of year again, where research buzz is in the air!

DYSC Lab members, Kiah, Allison, Jessica, Hannah, and Joanna successfully presented their honours thesis research at the SMU Annual Psychology Student Conference.

SMU Psychology Department SMU Science

11/29/2022

Congratulations to Alicia McVarnock on being awarded the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. This prestigious scholarship is awarded to world-class doctoral students in Canada. For many years, Alicia made her academic home as a member of our DYSC Lab in the Psychology Department at SMU. Now, she is pursuing her PhD in Psychology at Carleton University. We are proud to have called her one of our own, and can’t wait to see what heights she will soar to next in her bright future! SMU Psychology Department SMU Science Saint Mary's University Halifax

10/06/2022

Want to contribute to a better understanding of socioemotional well-being during COVID-19? Click here to share your experiences through our anonymous survey: https://dysclab.wixsite.com/website/covid19

05/03/2022

Is there an upside to social withdrawal? Check out new research from the DYSC Lab to find out! Free access to a read-only copy here: https://rdcu.be/cL6B4

Shout out to SMU Psychology Department alumni and co-authors Alicia McVarnock and Laura Cook!