Eren Fukuda is a PhD student in developmental psychology with an interest in how children reason about the social world. Learn more about her research with Dr. Kristin Shutts and the Social Kids Lab and her personal hobbies here.
Please describe your research in a way an elementary school student might understand.
My research examines how children think about people and social groups, like gender and race. In my dissertation research specifically, I am investigating how interested young children are to learn the social group membership of people when first meeting them.
What inspired you to pursue that research?
I have always been interested in how we come to think about people, and I realized that social groups play a big part in our learning and reasoning about the social world.
What are your hobbies outside of school?
I love ballroom and social dancing!
What are your favorite places or things to do in Madison?
I love going to the farmers market on the square during warmer months.
What’s a positive experience from graduate school that will stay with you?
The friendships that I have made, especially with my labmates and through my hobbies.
Congratulations, you’ve earned your PhD! How will you celebrate and what would you love to do next?
I will be celebrating with my partner, family, and friends. My goal is to continue pursuing research in collaborative academic spaces!