The Psychology Professor was recently elected as a Fellow of the Canadian Psychological Association.
VIU Psychology Professor Dr. Lindsay McCunn studies how and why built and natural settings influence our behaviour and well-being.
Last year, Lindsay edited a book showcasing the stories of leading scholars who forged career paths leading to environmental psychology. Her research has been published in several interdisciplinary journals. Her expertise is widely sought by media outlets such as Canadian Press, Esquire, CBC and the Globe and Mail.
Lindsay is also a member of the Canadian Psychological Association and was recently elected as a Fellow for her contributions to the advancement of the science of psychology and exceptional service to the national association.
Here, she shares what she loves most about her job, advice she would give to her younger self and what being named as a Fellow means to her.
What’s your favourite part about your job?
My favourite part about my job is having a “home base” to research people-place relations and to easily share that process with students and colleagues. Environmental psychology is an interdisciplinary branch of psychology, so it attracts collaborations with architects and planners, engineers, government decision makers, non-profit organizations and beyond. It also piques the interest of students who appreciate applied social science. I like that my job tends to introduce people to how useful and relatable environmental psychology can be.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
I would tell my 18-year-old self not to worry about whether studying numerous (and often disparate) topics all at once was productive or worthwhile. At that age, I didn’t know what I wanted to focus on as an undergraduate and I changed my major part way through my degree. Even after I chose psychology and finished my PhD, I decided to add a second MSc to my education years later so that I could pursue a new branch of my field more formally. My advice to my younger self would be to trust that becoming an academic can yield opportunities to learn many of the things I worried I wouldn’t have a chance to.
What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?
I study things for fun, like physics, history and mathematics. I also paint landscapes and experiment with different fountain pen inks in my journals and notebooks. I run and hike and read ... of course, having fun with my kids is at the top of the list, too!
What is something your coworkers would be surprised to learn about you?
I have a keen interest in the history of science in western Europe and have researched the life and works of Sir Isaac Newton for several years. As an environmental psychologist, I am particularly curious about the extent to which the physical setting of Cambridge University – and Trinity College in particular – influenced his sense of place and identity.
What does being elected a CPA Fellow mean to you?
Being elected a Fellow of the Canadian Psychological Association is an honour. I value what the organization represents for psychologists in Canada and appreciate the opportunity to contribute through its projects, sections and committees. This recognition is particularly important to me as an environmental psychologist because it reflects growing awareness of the field’s contributions. As a relatively young discipline, it is encouraging to see environmental psychology recognized further at the national level.
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