Interests

How can we help others live the good life? This question motivates much of my work. I’m especially interested in eudaimonia, or human flourishing, and in the psychological and moral conditions that make it possible. While many approaches to well-being focus inward, I’m drawn to the outward-facing side of flourishing: how we influence others' well-being, contribute to their growth, and shape the moral landscape we all live in. Because flourishing can depend on the behaviors we engage in and the beliefs we hold, this begs the question: what makes a person persuasive enough to change others' minds and actions in ways that support the good life?

While there are many variables that influence how persuasive someone is, my research explores whether perceived moral character is one of the most powerful among them. We live in a relational world, one where trust, reputation, and shared values shape who we listen to and why. I’m interested in how being seen as a “good” or “bad” person affects one’s ability to change others’ beliefs and behaviors. If goodness persuades, then character isn’t just a collection of traits to be evaluated; it’s part of the mechanism by which people shape and support one another.

Understanding when and why people are open to influence isn’t just a question of persuasion; it’s a question of how we grow together. If flourishing depends not only on individual insight but also on our capacity to learn from others, then the people we allow to shape us matter deeply. My work sits at this intersection: where character meets influence, and where influence becomes a vehicle for helping others live fuller, more meaningful lives. By examining how moral character perceptions affect persuasion, I hope to shed light on how we can better support one another in adopting beliefs and behaviors that make the good life possible.

Beyond this line of work, I’m broadly interested in all things related to humanity’s deepest convictions, such as much of the work produced within moral psychology, political psychology, the psychology of religion, positive psychology, and experimental philosophy. These fields continue to shape how I think about human nature and the forces that guide how we live, connect, and flourish.

Outside of research, I’m passionate about prison education, teaching financial literacy, and marathon training. I believe everyone should understand compound interest and experience the mental turmoil of mile 20. I’ll be running the London Marathon in April 2026 and the New York City Marathon in November 2026—hopefully still pretending this is a fun hobby.