About the SSRL Co-Directors
Dr. Joseph R. McGahan is a co-director
of the Social Science Research Laboratory, and founder and
director of the Chautauqua Nexus at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
Dr. McGahan
obtained his Ph.D. in Experimental Social Psychology from the
University of Oklahoma, his M.S. in Educational and Developmental
Psychology from Yeshiva University, and his B.A. from the State
University of New York at Oswego where he focused on the facilitation
of group process. He has also worked as a sales training specialist
and market research analyst for Hilti Inc, in Stamford, Connecticut and
Tulsa, Oklahoma.
As a result of his
interest in statistical reasoning, Dr. McGahan and his students have
published numerous articles on the layperson’s ability to
correlate information and, currently, are focusing on what people think
about the relationship between responsibility and perceived freedom. In
addition, Dr. McGahan has considerable experience studying tolerance of
ambiguity.
His
teaching
responsibilities include social psychology, social cognition, as well
as research design, statistics, and measurement.
Dr. John W. Sutherlin is a co-Director
of the SSRL and a
political scientist with numerous years of consulting for
governmental agencies across Louisiana, the US as well as
South
America and Europe.
He is a frequent speaker at international
conferences and lectures on a variety of subjects, especially
sustainable environmental solutions. He is the author of two
books, producer and director of 24 documentary films that have
been distributed to more than 50 countries.
Dr.
Sutherlin was nominated for the Volvo for Life Award in 2003,
and professor of the year at Tulane University in
2004. He
was a finalist for the position of Secretary of the Department
of
Environmental Quality for the State of Louisiana under
Governor
Blanco. In 2007, Dr. Sutherlin received the Faculty
Award of
Excellence.
Research Fellows
The
basis for SSRL is the use of interdisciplinary faculty and
students to help in all aspects of the SSRL functions. The Research Fellows involved with the SSRL have made a commitment to
excellence and integrity that we demand in our program.
If you are an ULM faculty member and would like more information about the SSRL and/or participating as a Research Fellow, please contact us.
Interns and Apprentices
If you are an ULM student and would like more information about the SSRL and/or participating as an intern, please contact us or visit our internship application page.