Overview
Background
Dr Cassandra Chapman has a PhD in the psychology of charitable giving. She is now an Associate Professor and ARC DECRA Fellow at The University of Queensland.
Cassandra came to academia after almost a decade working in nonprofits. Informed by this experience, her research focuses on donor psychology and fundraising. She uses diverse methods to understand when and why people are willing to help one another. These insights have implications for how charities communicate and raise money. Cassandra often works with nonprofits to design and deliver research. She also shares research insights for fundraisers on her website www.donorpsych.org.
Cassandra’s research has won national and international research awards. Notable awards include the AFP Early Career Emerging Scholar Award(AFP, 2023), the Skystone Partners Prize for Research on Fundraising and Philanthropy (AFP, 2020), and the Gabriel G. Rudney Memorial Award for an Outstanding Dissertation in Nonprofit and Voluntary Action Research (ARNOVA, 2019). Cassandra has also published over 45 articles in leading international journals.She recently served as Associate Editor of Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly (2022-2025).
Availability
- Dr Cassandra Chapman is:
- Not available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
-
Psychology of Charitable Giving
Research questions include: - How do people choose which types of charity to support and which to neglect? - What roles do identity and social norms play in determining who gives to charity, how much is given, and which causes are supported? - How important is trust in giving decisions? - How do fundraisers influence donation decisions? - What kinds of help are offered and why? - Do consumers respond to effectiveness information about charities?
-
Charity Scandals and Trust in Nonprofits
Research questions include: - What do people think about nonprofits (vs. commercial organisations)? - How do consumers respond to ethical violations occurring within nonprofits? - Do specific charity scandals affect overall trust in the nonprofit sector? - What sectoral influences may affect the likelihood that scandals emerge?
-
Effective and Ethical Fundraising
Research questions include: - What are key ethical considerations in fundraising? - Which kinds of images can be used in fundraising campaigns to raise the necessary money without reinforcing problematic stereotypes? - Which parties need to be considered in understanding fundraising ethics?
Research impacts
Cassandra's research helps to understand and promote generosity within Australian society. This helps ensure delivery of essential community services and encourages social harmony. Her research insights can help charities and nonprofits to communicate more effectively.
Works
Search Professor Cassandra Chapman’s works on UQ eSpace
2018
Journal Article
Identifying (our) donors: Toward a social psychological understanding of charity selection in Australia
Chapman, Cassandra M., Louis, Winnifred R. and Masser, Barbara M. (2018). Identifying (our) donors: Toward a social psychological understanding of charity selection in Australia. Psychology & Marketing, 35 (12), 980-989. doi: 10.1002/mar.21150
2018
Journal Article
The champion effect in peer-to-peer giving: successful campaigns highlight fundraisers more than causes
Chapman, Cassandra M., Masser, Barbara M. and Louis, Winnifred R. (2018). The champion effect in peer-to-peer giving: successful campaigns highlight fundraisers more than causes. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 48 (3), 089976401880519-592. doi: 10.1177/0899764018805196
2018
Book Chapter
Group norms and identities in societal transitions: from democracy to dictatorship and back again
Louis, Winnifred R., Chonu, Gi K., Achia, Tulsi, Chapman, Cassandra M. and Rhee, Joshua (2018). Group norms and identities in societal transitions: from democracy to dictatorship and back again. The road to actualized democracy: a psychological exploration. (pp. 27-57) edited by Brady Wagoner, Ignacio Bresco de Luna and Vlad Glaveanu. Charlotte, NC, United States: IAP-Information Age Publishing.
2018
Journal Article
Seven sins when interpreting statistics in sports injury science
Nielsen, Rasmus Oestergaard, Chapman, Cassandra M., Louis, Winnifred R., Stovitz, Steven D., Mansournia, Mohammad Ali, Windt, Johann, Møller, Merete, Parner, Erik Thorlund, Hulme, Adam, Bertelsen, Michael Lejbach, Finch, Caroline F., Casals, Marti and Verhagen, Evert (2018). Seven sins when interpreting statistics in sports injury science. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52 (22), 1-3. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2017-098524
2017
Journal Article
Healthy eating: a beneficial role for perceived norm conflict?
Plows, Stefanie Elaine, Smith, Francine D., Smith, Joanne R., Chapman, Cassandra M., La Macchia, Stephen T. and Louis, Winnifred R. (2017). Healthy eating: a beneficial role for perceived norm conflict?. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 47 (6), 295-304. doi: 10.1111/jasp.12430
2017
Journal Article
Engagement and mentor support as drivers of social development in the project K youth development program
Chapman, Cassandra M., Deane, Kelsey L., Harre, Niki, Courtney, Matthew G. R. and Moore, Julie (2017). Engagement and mentor support as drivers of social development in the project K youth development program. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 46 (3), 644-655. doi: 10.1007/s10964-017-0640-5
2017
Journal Article
How can we encourage our voluntary non-remunerated donors to donate more frequently?
Masser, B. M., Davison, T. E. and Chapman, C. M. (2017). How can we encourage our voluntary non-remunerated donors to donate more frequently?. ISBT Science Series, 12 (1), 112-118. doi: 10.1111/voxs.12312
2007
Journal Article
What are the essential capabilities of marketers? A comparative study of managers', academics' and students' perceptions
Gray, Brendan, Ottesen, Geir, Bell, Jim, Chapman, Cassandra and Whiten, Jemma (2007). What are the essential capabilities of marketers? A comparative study of managers', academics' and students' perceptions. Marketing Intelligence & Planning, 25 (3), 271-295. doi: 10.1108/02634500710747789
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Cassandra Chapman is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Deconstructing the charitable triad: Raising beneficiary voices to be heard alongside donors and fundraisers
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Cameron Parsell
-
Doctor Philosophy
UNDERSTANDING THE E-WOM EFFECTS ON NON-PROFIT FUNDRAISING
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Popkowski-Leszczyc
Completed supervision
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Head-worn displays in healthcare: Provider, patient, and social perspectives
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Ben Matthews, Associate Professor Nicole Hartley
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
The Social Impact of Social Impact Evaluation: A Meta-Evaluation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Cameron Parsell
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
An Application of Psychological Ownership in Blood Donation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Fiona Barlow, Professor Barbara Masser
Media
Enquiries
For media enquiries about Dr Cassandra Chapman's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team: