William Ryan
Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Department of Psychology
William Ryan is an assistant professor, teaching stream in the Department of Psychology where he teaches a variety of courses relating to social and personality psychology, health psychology, and industrial and organizational behaviour.
Ryan’s teaching philosophy is informed by self-determination theory (SDT), a motivational framework that posits that individuals have a natural, or intrinsic, motivation to grow and learn. This natural tendency flourishes when basic psychological needs for competence, relatedness, and autonomy are met. Therefore, supporting these three needs forms the foundation of his approach to teaching.
Ryan also applies SDT in his research, examining how social contexts and interactions support and thwart health, wellness and engagement, focusing on these processes among members of stigmatized groups and in the workplace and classroom. Ryan conducts most of this research in collaboration with undergraduate student members of the WISH (Well-being, Identity, Stigma, & Health) lab.
Ryan completed his PhD in social psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) in 2017. While at UCSB he also completed an Interdisciplinary Emphasis in Quantitative Methods for the Social Sciences and a Certificate in College & University Teaching. Ryan is a graduate of Smith College, earning his BA in psychology in 2009.