Photo by Victoria Grima. Source: https://news.umanitoba.ca/from-the-lab-to-the-reserve/
* Product may not be exactly as pictured. :) This picture is from 2017.

BRIEF BIO

Katherine Starzyk, Ph.D., is a Professor in Social and Personality Psychology at the University of Manitoba. She is also a Founding Member of the Centre for Human Rights Research and the Centre for Social Science Research & Policy. Born in Poland, Katherine brings her identities as a Polish Canadian woman to her work.

Through her research, teaching, and service, Katherine aims to contribute to social justice. Her research focuses on how to shift attitudes toward past and present human rights issues. In collaboration with students in her Social Justice Laboratory and others across disciplines and sectors, Katherine’s work is multidisciplinary and involves diverse methodologies, including interviews, focus groups, and public polling; survey, correlational, and experimental methods; as well as quantitative, qualitative, and archival analysis. Through this work, Katherine aims to make both scholarly and applied contributions.

Presently, alongside a dedicated team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners and collaborators, Katherine is spending much of her time on the Canadian Reconciliation Barometer. Funded by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Insight Grant, the team’s goals are to:

Understand what reconciliation means to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada, on an ongoing and evolving basis.
Respectfully track reconciliation progress using best practices in psychometrics (the science of psychological measurement) and public polling.
Inform policy related to reconciliation, including developing recommendations on ongoing interventions that may be necessary.
Develop and evaluate evidence-based interventions and initiatives to promote reconciliation.

To this project, Katherine brings her expertise in psychometrics, the science of psychological measurement, and intergroup relations, as well as experience managing large projects. Such a tool is one way to track progress toward reconciliation as Canada works to resolve the serious and varied past and present harms perpetrated against Indigenous Peoples.

In the longer term, and with additional funding, the team will also build an international network among those who do similar work.

In collaboration with Dr. Becky Choma and Dr. Iloradanon Efimoff at Toronto Metropolitan University, Katherine is also investigating the role perceived norms and individual differences play in collective action.

Finally, Dr. Starzyk is involved in the Spectrum project, a social policy evaluation collaborative team.

REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS

Articles

Starzyk, K. B.1, Efimoff, I. 1, Neufeld, K. H. S., Woolford, A., Fontaine, A. S. M., Young, J., Bunt, A., Trickey, J., Sinclair, S., & Muller, A. (2024, June 25). The influence of Survivor stories and a virtual reality representation of a Residential School on reconciliation in Canada. In R. P. Eibach, S. Eidelman, & J. Friesen (Eds.), The political psychology of social change [Special issue]. Social Justice and Political Psychology Section, Frontiers in Social Psychology, 2. 1 = shared first author. https://doi.org/10.3389/frsps.2024.1346101

Efimoff, I. H., & Starzyk, K. B. (2024). An example of embedding Indigenous research approaches into social psychology: A mixed methods program of research to reduce anti-Indigenous prejudice. SAGE Research Methods Cases: Diversifying and Decolonizing Research Case Studies. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781529683400

Efimoff, I. H., & Starzyk, K. B. (2023). The impact of learning about historical and current injustices, individual racism, and systemic racism on anti-Indigenous racism. European Journal of Social Psychology, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.2987

Woolford, A., Starzyk, K. B., Sinclair, S., Muller, A., & MacDonald, D. (2022). “I definitely felt like I was there”: Enacting empathy and negotiating a virtual reality Indian Residential School. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F11771801221117561 (open access)

Neufeld, K. H. S., Starzyk. K. B., Boese, G. D., Efimoff, I. H., & Wright, S. (2021). “The more you know”: Critical historical knowledge about Indian Residential Schools increases non-Indigenous Canadians’ empathy for Indigenous Peoples. Political Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1111/pops.12783 [KS1]

Starzyk, K. B., Neufeld, K. H. S., Gaucher, D., Quesnel, M., Fontaine, A. S. M., Vorauer, J. D., & Yakubovich, A.(2021). “Is water a human right?”: Priming water as a human right increases support for government action. International Indigenous Policy Journal, 12(3), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.18584/iipj.2021.12.3.9342

Starzyk, K. B., Fontaine, A. S. M., Strand, L. K., & Neufeld, K. H. S. (2021). Attitudes toward reconciliation in Canada: Relationships with connectedness to nature, animal-human continuity, and moral expansiveness. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science. Advance Online Publication. Https://doi.org/10.1037/cbs0000248

Neufeld, K. H. S., Starzyk, K. B., & Boese, G. D. B. D. (2020). The effects of potential benefit on support for reparations for intergroup harm. Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology. Advance online publication. http://doi.org/10.1037/pac0000464

El-Gabalawy, R. M., Mackenzie, C. S., Starzyk, K. B., & Sommer, J. L. (2020). Understanding the relationship between traumatic suffering, posttraumatic growth, and prosocial variables. Journal of American College Health. Advance online publication. http://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2019.1705841

Neufeld, K. H. S., Funk, L. M., Starzyk, K. B., Gorea, M. I., & Dansereau, L. (2019). Barriers to and strategies for engaging non-Indigenous Canadians in fulfilling First Nations water rights: A qualitative inquiry. The International Indigenous Policy Journal, 10(3), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.18584/iipj.2019.10.3.8291 (open access)

Neufeld, K. H. S., Starzyk, K. B., & Gaucher, D. (2019). Political solidarity: A theory and a measure. Journal of Social and Political Psychology, 7(2), 726–765. https://doi.org/10.5964/jspp.v7i2.1058 (open access)

Starzyk, K. B., Neufeld, K. H. S., El-Gabalawy, R. M., & Boese, G. D. B. (2019). The case for and causes of intraminority solidarity in support for reparations: Evidence from community and student samples in Canada. Journal of Social and Political Psychology, 7(2), 620-650. https://doi.org/10.5964/jspp.v7i1.673 (open access)

Neufeld, K. H. S., Gaucher, D., Starzyk, K. B., & Boese, G. D. B. (2019). How feeling connected to one’s own community can increase support for addressing injustice impacting outgroup communities. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 22(4), 530-548. https://doi.org/10.1177/1368430217749881

Mackenzie, C. S., Karaoylas, E., & Starzyk, K. B. (2018). Changes in eudaimonia across the lifespan: A cross-sectional comparison of younger, middle-aged, and older adults. Journal of Happiness Studies, 19, 2465–2487. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-017-9932-4

Boese, G. D. B., Neufeld, K. H. S., & Starzyk, K. B. (2017). The validity of self-report measures in assessing historical knowledge: The case of Canada’s Residential Schools. International Indigenous Policy Journal, 8(3), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.18584/iipj.2017.8.3.3 (open access)

Starzyk, K. B., Fabrigar, L. R., Soryal, A. S., & Fanning, J. J. (2009). A painful reminder: The role of level and salience of attitude importance in cognitive dissonance. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 35(1), 126–137. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0146167208325613

Starzyk, K. B., & Ross, M. (2008). A tarnished silver lining: Victim suffering and support for reparations. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 34(3), 366-380. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0146167207311280

Holden, R. R., Wasylkiw, L., Starzyk, K. B., Book, A. B., & Edwards, M. J. (2006). Inferential structure of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory: Construct validity of the big four personality clusters. Canadian Journal of Behavioral Science, 38(1), 24-40. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0087268

Starzyk, K. B., Holden, R. R., Fabrigar, L. R., & MacDonald, T. K. (2006). The Personal Acquaintance Measure: A tool for appraising one’s knowledge of and familiarity with any person. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 90(5), 833-847. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.90.5.833

Holden, R. R., Wasylkiw, L., Starzyk, K. B., Edwards, M. J., & Book, A. B. (2001). Associations between the Holden Psychological Screening Inventory and the Personality Assessment Screener in a nonclinical sample. Psychological Reports, 88, 1005–11. https://doi.org/10.2466%2Fpr0.2001.88.3c.1005

Holden, R. R., Starzyk, K. B., McLeod, L. D., & Edwards, M. J. (2000). Comparisons among the Holden Psychological Screening Inventory (HPSI), the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), and the Balanced Inventory for Desirable Responding (BIDR). Assessment, 7(2), 163–175. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F107319110000700208

Peer Reviewed Book Chapters

Starzyk, K. B., Gaucher, D., Boese, G. D. B., & Neufeld, K. H. (2014). Framing reparation claims for crimes against humanity: A social-psychological perspective. In. J. Wemmers (Ed.), Reparations for victims of crimes against humanity. The healing role of reparation (pp. 113–125). London: Routledge.

Starzyk, K. B., Blatz, C. W., & Ross, M. (2009). Addressing and acknowledging historical injustices. In J. T. Jost, A. C. Kay, & H. Thorisdottir (Eds.), Social and psychological bases of ideology and system justification (pp. 463-479). New York: Oxford University Press.

Other Publications

Fontaine, A. S. M., & Starzyk, K. B. (2021, August 10). Extending our understanding of reconciliation in Canada: The importance of our relationship with the natural world. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/people-who-feel-more-connected-to-the-natural-world-are-more-likely-to-support-reconciliation-164753?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=bylinetwitterbutton

Fontaine, A. S. M., Hunter, S., Roos, L., & Starzyk, K. (2020, November). Advancing substantive equality when working with Indigenous families. Psynopsis: Canada’s Psychology Magazine, 42(4), 8-9. https://cpa.ca/docs/File/Psynopsis/2020-Vol42-4/index.html#p=1 [national newsletter]

Starzyk, K., Moran, R., Sekwan Fontaine, L., Peachey, D., Neufeld, K. H. S., Fontaine, A. S. M., & Efimoff, I. (2019, December). Lessons learned for psychological research with Indigenous Peoples from the Canadian Reconciliation Barometer Project. Psynopsis: Canada’s Psychology Newsletter, 41, 26–27. [national newsletter]

Starzyk, K. B. (2017, March). Is water a human right? Asking this question leads people to support more government action on First Nation water issues. Water Canada. Toronto, ON, Canada: Actual Media. [magazine article, readership > 70,000]

PUBLIC OUTREACH

Katherine aims to make the lab’s work and its implication accessible to the public. Before the pandemic, in December 2019, Katherine participated in “Visionary Conversations” panel entitled “What does a decolonized Canada look like? How do we build a Canada based on mutual respect and fairness between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians?” at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, hosted by President David Barnard with co-participants Emma LaRocque, Cary Miller, Michael Yellow Bird. To access the recording, see http://umanitoba.ca/community/visionaryconversations/past-visionary-conversations.

Photo source: https://news.umanitoba.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/UMToday1-1200x800.jpg

Selected other such presentations:

Starzyk, K. B. (2022, January 11). The Canadian Reconciliation Barometer [Café Scientifique panel discussant with co-participants L. Fontaine & R. Moran]. Moderators A. Fontaine & I. Effimoff. Host: D. Jayas. University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

Starzyk, K. B. (2021, March 25). The Canadian Reconciliation Barometer: Understanding, measuring progress toward, and creating interventions to promote reconciliation in Canada [Research Showcase Roundtable presenter with co-participants J. Uzonna, P. Maghoul, J. Mammei, J. Paliwal, & G. Stern]. Hosts: Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry of the Government of Canada; A. Farenhorst and D. Jayas, University of Manitoba. University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

Starzyk, K. B. (2021, March 25). Racism in the city [Roundtable discussant with anonymous co-participants]. Hosts: Immigration Partnership Winnipeg and The City of Winnipeg. Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

Starzyk, K. B., & Fontaine, A. S. M. (2017, October 20). Attitudes about reconciliation [All My Relations: Relating to Mother Earth workshop; teacher professional development]. Host: Council for Indigenous Education in Manitoba. Glenlawn Collegiate, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

Starzyk, K. B., & Fontaine, A. S. M. (2017, June 29). Right to clean water: The most precious gift public engagement cluster findings [Webinar]. Host: First Nations Health and Social Services Secretariat of Manitoba Partners for Engagement and Knowledge Exchange (PEKE), Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

Starzyk, K. B. (2017, March 4). Visionary conversations across the nation: Acknowledging the past, creating our future [Panel discussant with co-presenter R. Moran]. Host: D. Barnard, University of Manitoba. Victoria, BC, Canada.

Starzyk, K. B. (2017, March 2). Visionary conversations across the nation: Acknowledging the past, creating our future [Panel discussant with co-presenter R. Moran]. Host: D. Barnard, University of Manitoba. Vancouver, BC, Canada.

SELECTED MEDIA FEATURES OF RESEARCH

Fontaine, A. F., & Starzyk, K. B. (2022, September 5). Ep 10: Attitudes toward reconciliation in Canada: Connectedness to nature [Talking Papers with Haley Hrymak podcast]. Retrieved from https://open.spotify.com/episode/3FTIE23efEMQSBrLwtwv55?si=gaGg9-5cQjaIzZMSIlj4wA

Mays Wiebe, M. (2022, Spring). Taking up the work of reconciliation: How a new measuring tool based on research can push us further down the path to good and just relations. Research Life (pp. 27-29). Winnipeg, MB, Canada: University of Manitoba. Retrieved from https://umanitoba.ca/research/sites/research/files/2022-05/um-researchlife-spring-2022.pdf

Starzyk, K. B. (2022, March 5). Social and personality research in Canada [Canadian Psychological Association podcast with host E. Bollman & co-guests C. Harasymchuk & J. Zelenski]. Retrieved from https://cpa.ca/psychology-month-profile-dr-cheryl-harasymchuk-dr-katherine-starzyk-and-dr-john-zelenski-social-and-personality-psychology/

…

February 2022: 200+ independent news stories, including print, TV, and radio, featuring the Canadian Reconciliation Barometer.

…

Cotnam, H. (2021, October 1). How do you measure reconciliation? [Radio broadcast with co-guests I. H. Efimoff & K. B. Starzyk]. CBC Radio Ottawa Morning. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-100/clip/15869623

Khandaker, T. (2021, September 30). Can we measure reconciliation? [Podcast with co-guests R. Moran and K. B. Starzyk]. The Decibel, The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/podcasts/the-decibel/article-can-we-measure-reconciliation/

White, P. (2021, September 28 & 30). ‘Reconciliation barometer’ aims to keep Canada on track for justice for Indigenous peoples.The Globe and Mail[front page with interviewees R. Moran, I. H. Efimoff, & K. B. Starzyk]. Retrieved fromhttps://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-barometer-aims-to-measure-canadas-progress-on-indigenous/

UM Today (2021, June 15). Research funding supports BIG ideas. https://news.umanitoba.ca/research-funding-supports-big-ideas/

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (2020). Pathways: The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Five-Year Report. https://nctr.ca/assets/reports/Modern%20Reports/NCTR_5_Year_Report_Final.pdf

Fallding, H. (2014, Winter). The museum as muse. Research Life (pp. 10–14). Winnipeg, MB, Canada: University of Manitoba. Retrieved from https://umanitoba.ca/research/media/ResearchLIFE_Winter_2014.pdf

Bellrichard, C. (2014, June 27). First Nations issues: What will make Canadians care? Manitoba researchers try to crack code on what will make Canadians care about water on reserves. CBC News. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal/first-nations-issues-what-will-make-canadians-care–1.2689979

The University of Winnipeg News Centre (2013, July 23). The right to clean water in First Nations initiative. Retrieved from http://news-centre.uwinnipeg.ca/all-posts/the-right-to-clean-water-in-first-nations-initiative/

CBC News: Winnipeg at 6:00 (2013, February 21). Virtual tour offers glimpse at residential school. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2337385629

Welch, M. A. (2011, November 5). Public shock, anger over issue evaporate. Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved from http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/fyi/public-shock-anger-over-issue-evaporate–133421483.html

Welch, M. A. (2011, October 22). Easy to judge, difficult to escape. Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved from http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/fyi/easy-to-judge-difficult-to-escape–132369703.html

Fallding, H. (2010, November 2). Water woes cause concern. Readers ask: How can I help? Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved from http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/no-running-water/working/water-woes-cause-concern–106504128.html

SELECTED MEDIA FEATURES FOR EXPERT OPINION

CTV News at Six Winnipeg (2021, March 8). Stigma and COVID-19. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/player/news/Canada/Manitoba?cmp=DM_SEM_MANITOBA (min 50).

Markusa, M. (2021, March 8). The stigma some people faced during this pandemic – one of the ugly side effects of covid-19. CBC Information Radio – MB. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-29-information-radio-mb/clip/15829266-the-stigma-people-faced-pandemic-one-ugly

Froese, I. (2021, March 7). A year of stigma: COVID-19 fear leads to shaming of racial, religious groups in Manitoba. CBC News. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/year-in-stigma-public-shaming-racial-minorities-1.5938137

Da Silva, D. (2020, October 9). “More people are becoming aware.” 56 per cent of Manitobans admit to past racist behaviour: Poll. Retrieved from https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/more-people-are-becoming-aware-572690912.html

CTV New at Six Winnipeg (2020, February 25). The federal government’s plans to bypass blockades. Retrieved from https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1908753

Vollhardt, J. (2019, November 8). Acknowledging collective victimization: Acknowledgment and denial affects well-being and relations between groups. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/experts/johanna-ray-vollhardt-phd

CTV News at Six Winnipeg (2017, August 17). Anti-Semitic messages outside holocaust memorial. Retrieved from http://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/anti-semitic-messages-outside-holocaust-memorial–1.3550215

Westcott, T. (2017, June 19). Experts question First Nations drinking water engagement process. Water Canada. Retrieved from http://watercanada.net/2017/experts-question-first-nations-drinking-water-engagement-process/

SELECTED SERVICE CONTRIBUTIONS

2024–2027: Member, Advisory Board, Centre for Social Science Research and Policy, University of Manitoba

2021–2023: Member, National Indigenous Advisory Group

2021–2022: Member, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Insight Development Grant Committee 10A (Psychology)

2020–2021: Member, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Insight Development Grant Committee 10A (Psychology)

2020–Present: Advisor, Max Rady College of Medicine Admissions

2020: Advisor, National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Role: Along with Katelin Neufeld, provided expert assistance to Centre in litigation involving the archiving of statistical reports of the Independent Assessment Process under the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.

2018–2020: Member, Liquor and Gaming Authority of Manitoba Ethics Review Panel

2014: Participant: United Nations Development Programme’ workshop: Reconciliation as a mechanism for conflict prevention and peacebuilding (2014, September 2-4). Johannesburg, South Africa.
Role: One of approximately 70 invited attendees. The goal of the workshop was to help the United Nations Development Programme develop better approaches to reconciliation.

2008–2010: Past Chair, Canadian Psychological Association, Social and Personality

2007–2008: Chair, Canadian Psychological Association, Social and Personality

2006–2007: Chair Elect, Canadian Psychological Association, Social and Personality