Lab Director
 | Dr Friedrich Götz (he/him) is an Assistant Professor in Social-Personality Psychology at the University of British Columbia. Originally from Germany, Dr Götz obtained his PhD from the University of Cambridge, did a post-doc at the University of California, Berkeley and feels extraordinarily fortunate to have wound up in beautiful British Columbia. While easily excited about anything related to personality, the main focus of Dr Götz’ research is on the causes and consequences of geographical personality differences. To study this, Dr Götz pursues an interdisciplinary Big Data approach that seeks to combine classic interactionist theories from social and personality psychology with an applied behavioural science perspective and consequential real-world outcomes. In recognition of his work, Dr Götz has received the Dissertation Prize of the German Psychological Society (Personality Psychology and Psychological Diagnostics Section) and was named a Green College Leading Scholar. In what might be his sweetest gig, Dr Götz is also a guest contributor at TIME Magazine. Together with Chris Wilson – TIME’s director of data journalism – he runs large-scale survey studies that have attracted more than 2.5 million participants to date. At UBC, Dr Götz teaches various personality courses and a graduate class on geographical psychology. Outside of the lab, Dr Götz enjoys running, kayaking and travelling and has a soft spot for dark chocolate, foreign languages, smoky Scotch, old cinemas, German poetry and long walks. Education: University of Cambridge, 2021, PhD University of Cambridge, 2017, MPhil |
Graduate Students
 | Sakshi Sahakari Program of study: MA Psychology Why did you join the lab? Growing up in India, I witnessed and experienced a lot of geographical, cultural and psychological diversity. Through my time at the lab, I wish to explore and understand how geography and culture affect psychology with a Big Data and applied approach to research. Your idea of happiness: Cooking a good meal for my loved ones Your idea of misery: A world without art and culture If not yourself, who would you be? A cat (getting to sleep for two-thirds of your life sounds like a pretty sweet deal) Your favourite motto: When life gives you lemonade, make lemons. Life will be all like WHAAT??!! - Phil Dunphy (Modern Family Season 4, Episode 2) |
Research Assistants
 | April Hwang Program of study: Psychology Why did you join the lab? To learn more about geographical psychology and understand how culture can impact personalities and decisions-making Your idea of happiness: When a dog pulls away from their owner to come say hi to you Your idea of misery: Biting into a chocolate chip cookie but turns out it was raisin If not yourself, who would you be? One of those people that can toss pizza dough in the air and catch it to perfection Your favourite motto: "Yeah, no don’t put me down for cardio" |
 | Andrea Camacho Garron Program of study: Psychology and sociology Why did you join the lab? Because the lab's vision aligned with my own perspective on the importance of carrying and expanding psychology research beyond WEIRD populations. I think geographical psychology has the potential to fill the immense gaps of knowledge that exist beyond WEIRD countries in the world map. I am also very passionate about how research in social and personality psychology can lead to positive change Your idea of happiness: Being surrounded by the ones you love sharing a good meal during a nice and sunny day Your idea of misery: Feeling unfulfilled and empty If not yourself, who would you be? Adela Zamudio Your favourite motto: "That’s what it is all about, coinciding with people that make you see the things you dont see, that teach you how to look with different eyes.”- Mario Benedetti |
 | Mizuki Kubota Program of study: Psychology and Speech Science Why did you join the lab? I was drawn to this lab’s broad perspectives of the world, with collaborations with many researchers across countries. By reaching beyond one region or population, the more globalized target reflects my background and I can relate to it. As an international student, I have lived in different countries and had the opportunity to interact with a diverse group of people. By working in this lab, allows me to seek some answers to questions I came across in those environments and interactions. It’s fascinating to learn the various factors that contribute to the differences in cross-cultural personality and social psychological constructs. Your idea of happiness: Knowing I have friends and family I can rely on and enjoy spending time with them. Your idea of misery: Not having a passion/goal or something to look forward to. If not yourself, who would you be? A dog or cat (play, nap, eat, repeat) Your favourite motto: Diamonds are made under pressure |
 | Chastity Chloe Leong Ka See (Chassy) Program of study: Psychology Why did you join the lab? I was extremely interested in the lab research on populations outside WEIRD populations, and I wanted to understand how culture and geographical differences can influence personality and its conceptualizations. Your idea of happiness: When an animal decides you are their pillow Your idea of misery: My roommate's inability to read full sentences If not yourself, who would you be? Ada Limon Your favourite motto: In the darkest of times, hope is something you give yourself - Uncle Iroh, Avatar the Last Airbender |
 | Radha Bazaz Program of study: Psychology Honours Why did you join the lab? I took a cultural psychology course in my second year and started wondering why cultures develop a certain way, and why they diverge from other cultures. I came across the PANGEA lab's website and saw that we can understand these changes by looking at geography and ecology. I'm very interested in exploring how humans came to inhabit diverse environments, ranging from extreme climate to challenging topography, and I think the lab is the perfect place to dig deeper into these questions. Your idea of happiness: A cosy night in with friends and family Your idea of misery: A lack of self understanding If not yourself, who would you be? One of the royal corgis Your favourite motto: Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not- Iroh, Avatar the Last Airbender |
 | Paniz Radjaee Program of study: Cognitive Systems Why did you join the lab? To explore individual and cross-cultural differences in personality, perceptions, attitudes, and decision making, as well as the interaction between psychological and non-psychological (especially geographical) origins/evolution of these concepts Your idea of happiness: Being close to people I love Your idea of misery: Feeling far from my purpose If not yourself, who would you be? An alien so I can see what they're about Your favourite motto: “You can do what you have to do, and sometimes you can do it even better than you think you can.” – Jimmy Carter |
Past Research Assistants
 | Gian Hermosa Program of study: B.A. Major in Psychology and Minor in Family Studies Why did you join the lab? To explore the field of personality psychology and how personalities can be influenced based on cultural, regional, and familial differences. To learn more about how personality differences have implications on individual levels (such as mental health) and societal levels (such as policy-making) Your idea of happiness: Chilling and playing music and games with friends at Wreck beach on a nice, hot, sunny day Your idea of misery: Being hungry and sleepy at the same time If not yourself, who would you be? Stephen Curry Your favourite motto: "Life is like a mirror: if you frown at it, it frowns back; if you smile, it returns the greeting." |
 | Beatriz Barddal Fantini Program of study: Bachelor of Arts, Double Major in Geography and Psychology Why did you join the lab? When I saw the posting about a new Geographic Psychology lab starting at UBC, it was like one of those moments in life where everything seemed to be falling into place. When I decided to double major in psychology and geography, it was because I had a passion for both separately. Throughout my time at UBC, I kept thinking about (and being asked about) how I would bring the two together. I always felt like the two fields complemented each other and being a part of this lab has really solidified that for me and shown me that they really do. Your idea of happiness: Noticing the little moments in each day that make me feel happy or calm Your idea of misery: Knowing that we are slowly making our planet uninhabitable for other animals and ourselves and feeling like there is nothing I can do to stop it. If not yourself, who would you be? My dog Your favourite motto: "Life is a combination of magic and pasta" - Federico Fellini |