Dissertation Award Applications

Psychology of technology Dissertation Awards 2025

The Psychology of Technology Institute hosts an annual dissertation award program for doctoral students around the world to help them gain support and visibility for their work. In 2025, the Institute will award 3 dissertation award prizes of $1,000 and acknowledge up to 3 additional honorable mentions. This initiative is in line with the Institute’s mission of connecting and supporting scholars from multiple scientific disciplines (psychology, computer science, marketing, organizational behavior, communications, information science, anthropology, etc.) who conduct research examining the psychological determinants and consequences of adopting new technologies (e.g., AI assistants, LLMs, social media, algorithmic decision making, robots, smartphones, AR/VR, etc.), including how the adoption and use of these technologies are transforming how people live, work, play, and interact.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for the award, applicants must:

  • Be a doctoral student (current or recent graduate) in Psychology, Organizational Behavior, Communications, Marketing, Computer Science, Information Science, Anthropology, or a related field, and in good standing with their university

  • Must have officially proposed or defended their dissertation at some point in 2024

  • Be conducting research in an area that is relevant to the psychology of technology

HOW TO APPLY

Submissions for this award will be accepted via email at psychoftechnology@gmail.com. The deadline for all materials is March 15, 2025. Decisions will be made in April, 2025.

Submission Details

To apply, please include the following:

  • Title of the dissertation

  • Abstract of the dissertation proposal, no more than 600 words not including references. The abstract should include an accurate description of the theory, methods, and findings so far, as well as a statement of the significance of the findings.

  • Table or Figure (optional, no more than one)

  • Letter of recommendation from the dissertation advisor. This letter should be sent separately to psychoftechnology@gmail.com on behalf of the student.

  • An updated CV

Notification Process

Decisions will be made by April, 2025. Winners and honorable mentions will first be notified via email. Upon acceptance of the award, we will highlight their research in our newsletter, over our social channels, and on our website.

Research topics

Relevant topics of dissertations that are related to the psychology of technology may include (but are not limited to):

  • Algorithmic decision-making

  • Attitudes and beliefs about technology

  • Human-computer interaction

  • Social media

  • AI assistants and/or companions

  • Use of LLMs or other AI tools at work

  • Spread of misinformation

  • Polarization

  • Algorithmic bias

  • Future of work

  • Virtual and/or augmented reality

  • Effects of technology on physical and/or mental well-being

  • Consumer decision-making about technology use and adoption

  • Communication and coordination

  • Ethics around technology

  • Privacy

  • Surveillance

  • Use of technology for time management and productivity

  • Deepfakes

Past dissertation Award Recipients