Social Psychology Research Lab (SPRL)
Principles: SPRL intends to connect academic research with students and society and identify possible answers to today’s challenges embedded in different socio-cultural contexts based on collaboration and ethos. The Lab focuses on researching about social processes, mental health, interpersonal relationships, and psychological well-being.
The SPRL is located at Middlesex University Dubai and resides in the heart of Dubai, an international hub, which connects the Middle East with rest of the world. Social Psychology Research Lab prioritizes student learning and growth. Students who demonstrate outstanding research skills will be given the opportunity to work in the lab and get involved in research projects.
Recent projects and collaborations: Recent research projects have examined mental health and faith in institutions related to COVID-19, religious practices and death anxiety, cross-cultural friendships and multicultural attitudes in the UAE, longitudinal psychological health of surrogates, perception of marital relationships, and experiences of mothers with children with autism.
We have established key international collaborations with academics at University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Columbia University, University of Amsterdam, Lomonosov Moscow State University, and University of Limerick. SPRL is a forum for knowledge exchange between academics from psychology and related disciplines.
Head & Founder of SPRL
Dr Nishtha Lamba
e. n.lamba@mdx.ac.ae
t. +971 (0)4 568 7093
International research collaborators
The lab is collaborating with academics at:
Neuroscience, Ethics, and Society
University of Oxford
Social Psychology Lab
University of Amsterdam
Centre for Family Research
University of Cambridge
Department of Psychology
Lomonosov Moscow State University
Data Science Institute
Columbia University
Department of Psychology,
University of Limerick
In collaboration with Department of Psychology, Middlesex University Dubai, Social Psychology Research Lab (SPRL) is organising an online Student Research Event, to be held on 11th Feb, from 11 AM to 1 PM (see weblinks). The Lab’s international academic collaborations have inspired some of the research ideas. This year students have conducted some excellent impact-based research projects! The Department of Psychology values student research engagement and we believe that this student conference is an important learning experience for them.
Along with opening and closing statements from Dr Cedwyn Fernandes, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Director, Dr Cody Paris, Deputy Director of Academic Planning and Research, and Dr Tenia Kyriazi, Deputy Director of Academic Operations, Middlesex University Dubai, the event includes six parallel sessions, where 158 second- and third-year Psychology students, will be presenting 27 research projects, in the form of an academic poster!
Students will be presenting on a range of research topics such as: Young people's preferences around mental health services; Personality and choice of environment and activities; Moral dumbfounding attitudes and behaviour; Understanding misinformation at the time of the pandemic; Effectiveness of peer support messages related to COVID-19; Relationship between social class and self-and-other oriented positive emotions; Student perceptions of teaching styles and implicit biases; and Cross-cultural assessment of emotions experienced and well-being during the pandemic.
SPRL Student Research Event
Head of SPRL
Dr Nishtha Lamba
PhD, University of Cambridge
Senior Lecturer, Psychology
Middlesex University Dubai
LinkedIn & Research Profile
Research Associates
Dr Anita Kashi
PhD, Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi
Associate Professor, Head of Psychology Department
Middlesex University Dubai
Research Profile
Olga Khokhlova
PhD candidate, Lomonosov Moscow State University
Adjunct Lecturer, Psychology
Middlesex University Dubai
LinkedIn & Research profile
Research Assistants
Archana Raghavan
Masters student, Psychology, Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Alumni, Department of Psychology
Middlesex University Dubai
LinkedIn
Hafseena Bind Ashraf
Alumni, Department of Psychology
Middlesex University Dubai
LinkedIn