
Overview
Background
Hema was born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She completed her PhD in Social Psychology, with a concentration in the Psychology of Peace and Violence, at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (2019). She then joined the University of Queensland as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and is now a Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology.
Hema's research is guided by a central theme: both social change and the maintenance of the status quo are often achieved through sustained group-based efforts. To this end, Hema conducts research around ongoing social and political issues using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods in laboratory, online, and field settings across diverse regions of the world. This research is only possible through close collaboration with mentors, colleagues, and students.
Hema's research interests encompass social change and intergroup relations, social movements and collective action, collective resistance, intergroup solidarity, intergroup conflict and reconciliation. Her work has been published in leading journals, such as the Leadership Quarterly, British Journal of Social Psychology, Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, and Political Psychology. She has received awards for her research, including the 2023 Early Career Research Award by the Society of Australasian Social Psychologists. Hema currently serves as an Associate Editor for the British Journal of Social Psychology, and is on the Editorial Boards of Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Personality and Social Psychology Review, and Social and Personality Psychology Compass as Consulting Editor.
Availability
- Dr Hema Preya Selvanathan is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Masters (Coursework) of Science, University of Massachusetts
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Massachusetts
Works
Search Professor Hema Preya Selvanathan’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Far-right movements in the Western world: How media exposure relates to normative beliefs and attitudes toward the far-right
Selvanathan, Hema Preya, Leidner, Bernhard, Syropoulos, Stylianos, Louis, Winnifred, Adelman, Levi, Baka, Aphrodite, Bauer, Christina, Blikmans, Martijn, Becker, Maja, Beran, Eszter, Bilewicz, Michał, Chekroun, Peggy, Greitemeyer, Tobias, Hannover, Bettina, Jasinskaja-Lahti, Inga, Kardos, Peter, Li, Mengyao, Lindholm, Torun, Loughnan, Steve, Mros, Theresa, Paladino, Maria Paola, Papadopoulou, Marina, Rovenpor, Daniel R., Sadus, Kathrin, Vaes, Jeroen, Van Hiel, Alain and van Zomeren, Martijn (2025). Far-right movements in the Western world: How media exposure relates to normative beliefs and attitudes toward the far-right. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations. doi: 10.1177/13684302241309554
2025
Journal Article
On the nonlinear link between stigma and collective action: Evidence from sexual and gender minorities in 25 countries
Selvanathan, Hema Preya, Valdenegro, Daniel, Noor, Masi, Visintin, Emilio Paolo, Lalot, Fanny, Sainz, Mario, Bilewicz, Michał, Hayward, Lydia, Sebben, Simone, Ullrich, Johannes and Hässler, Tabea (2025). On the nonlinear link between stigma and collective action: Evidence from sexual and gender minorities in 25 countries. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations. doi: 10.1177/13684302241309539
2025
Journal Article
A mixed‐methods approach to understand victimization discourses by opposing feminist sub‐groups on social media
Maxwell, Christina, Selvanathan, Hema Preya, Hames, Sam, Crimston, Charlie R. and Jetten, Jolanda (2025). A mixed‐methods approach to understand victimization discourses by opposing feminist sub‐groups on social media. British Journal of Social Psychology, 64 (1) e12785, e12785. doi: 10.1111/bjso.12785
2024
Journal Article
Wealth inequality and community vitality in the aftermath of the Australian “Black Summer” bushfires
Dare, Michael, Jetten, Jolanda, Crimston, Charlie R. and Selvanathan, Hema P. (2024). Wealth inequality and community vitality in the aftermath of the Australian “Black Summer” bushfires. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 54 (12), 744-756. doi: 10.1111/jasp.13069
2024
Journal Article
“Fight like hell”: Projected moral polarisation predicts anticipated conflict and the perceived responsibility to overturn an election loss
Crimston, Charlie R., Jetten, Jolanda and Selvanathan, Hema Preya (2024). “Fight like hell”: Projected moral polarisation predicts anticipated conflict and the perceived responsibility to overturn an election loss. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 27 (7), 1712-1734. doi: 10.1177/13684302231223896
2024
Journal Article
“We’re not as great as we used to be”: Perceived national status threat and the desire for strong leaders
Ionescu, Octavia, Mols, Frank, Álvarez, Belén, Selvanathan, Hema Preya, Crimston, Charlie and Jetten, Jolanda (2024). “We’re not as great as we used to be”: Perceived national status threat and the desire for strong leaders. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 28 (1), 29-49. doi: 10.1177/13684302241265236
2024
Journal Article
Identifying different ‘types’ of participants in the Chilean student movement: A latent transition analysis of collective action intentions, social class and movement identification
Álvarez, Belén, Jetten, Jolanda, Selvanathan, Hema Preya, González, Roberto and Carvacho, Héctor (2024). Identifying different ‘types’ of participants in the Chilean student movement: A latent transition analysis of collective action intentions, social class and movement identification. Political Psychology, 45 (1), 151-173. doi: 10.1111/pops.12918
2023
Journal Article
Racial majority group’s support for racial equality in Malaysia
Lee, Yan Yee, Selvanathan, Hema Preya, Khoo, Ying Hooi and Jetten, Jolanda (2023). Racial majority group’s support for racial equality in Malaysia. Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, 30 (1), 48-57. doi: 10.1037/pac0000709
2023
Journal Article
Examining the role of Donald Trump and his supporters in the 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol: a dual-agency model of identity leadership and engaged followership
Haslam, S. Alexander, Reicher, Stephen D., Selvanathan, Hema Preya, Gaffney, Amber M., Steffens, Niklas K., Packer, Dominic, Van Bavel, Jay J., Ntontis, Evangelos, Neville, Fergus, Vestergren, Sara, Jurstakova, Klara and Platow, Michael J. (2023). Examining the role of Donald Trump and his supporters in the 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol: a dual-agency model of identity leadership and engaged followership. Leadership Quarterly, 34 (2) 101622, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.leaqua.2022.101622
2023
Journal Article
The distinct associations of ingroup attachment and glorification with responses to the coronavirus pandemic: Evidence from a multilevel investigation in 21 countries
McLamore, Quinnehtukqut, Syropoulos, Stylianos, Leidner, Bernhard, Hirschberger, Gilad, van Bezouw, Maarten J., Rovenpor, Daniel, Paladino, Maria Paola, Baumert, Anna, Bilewicz, Michal, Bilgen, Arda, Chatard, Armand, Chekroun, Peggy, Chinchilla, Juana, Choi, Hoon‐Seok, Euh, Hyun, Gomez, Angel, Kardos, Peter, Khoo, Ying Hooi, Li, Mengyao, Légal, Jean‐Baptiste, Loughnan, Steve, Mari, Silvia, Tan‐Mansukhani, Roseann, Muldoon, Orla, Noor, Masi, Petrović, Nebojša, Selvanathan, Hema Preya, Uluğ, Özden Melis, Wohl, Michael J. ... Zein, Rizqy Amelia (2023). The distinct associations of ingroup attachment and glorification with responses to the coronavirus pandemic: Evidence from a multilevel investigation in 21 countries. British Journal of Social Psychology, 62 (2), 992-1012. doi: 10.1111/bjso.12614
2023
Journal Article
What should allies do? Identifying activist perspectives on the role of white allies in the struggle for racial justice in the United States
Selvanathan, Hema Preya, Uluğ, Özden Melis and Burrows, Brooke (2023). What should allies do? Identifying activist perspectives on the role of white allies in the struggle for racial justice in the United States. European Journal of Social Psychology, 53 (1), 43-60. doi: 10.1002/ejsp.2882
2022
Journal Article
Double jeopardy: How lower levels of support during COVID-19 exacerbated the relationship between loneliness and distress
Bentley, Sarah V., Young, Tarli, Álvarez, Belén, Jetten, Jolanda, Haslam, Catherine, Cruwys, Tegan, Casara, Bruno Gabriel Salvador, Crimston, Charlie R., Dare, Michael, Ionescu, Octavia, Krug, Henning, Selvanathan, Hema Preya, Tanjitpiyanond, Porntida, Steffens, Niklas K., Wang, Zhechen and Wibisono, Susilo (2022). Double jeopardy: How lower levels of support during COVID-19 exacerbated the relationship between loneliness and distress. Frontiers in Public Health, 10 976443, 1-13. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.976443
2022
Journal Article
Moral polarization predicts support for authoritarian and progressive strong leaders via the perceived breakdown of society
Crimston, Charlie R., Selvanathan, Hema Preya and Jetten, Jolanda (2022). Moral polarization predicts support for authoritarian and progressive strong leaders via the perceived breakdown of society. Political Psychology, 43 (4), 671-691. doi: 10.1111/pops.12787
2022
Journal Article
A history of collective resilience and collective victimhood: two sides of the same coin that explain Black Americans' present‐day responses to oppression
Selvanathan, Hema Preya, Jetten, Jolanda and Umeh, Alexis (2022). A history of collective resilience and collective victimhood: two sides of the same coin that explain Black Americans' present‐day responses to oppression. British Journal of Social Psychology, 62 (1), 136-160. doi: 10.1111/bjso.12562
2022
Journal Article
Australia Day or Invasion Day? Perspectives on the continuing impact of colonialism underlies public contestations around Australia's national day
Selvanathan, Hema Preya, Jetten, Jolanda and Crimston, Charlie (2022). Australia Day or Invasion Day? Perspectives on the continuing impact of colonialism underlies public contestations around Australia's national day. Political Psychology, 44 (1), 61-77. doi: 10.1111/pops.12818
2022
Journal Article
Trust in scientific information mediates associations between conservatism and coronavirus responses in the U.S., but few other nations
McLamore, Quinnehtukqut, Syropoulos, Stylianos, Leidner, Bernhard, Hirschberger, Gilad, Young, Kevin, Zein, Rizqy Amelia, Baumert, Anna, Bilewicz, Michal, Bilgen, Arda, van Bezouw, Maarten J., Chatard, Armand, Chekroun, Peggy, Chinchilla, Juana, Choi, Hoon-Seok, Euh, Hyun, Gomez, Angel, Kardos, Peter, Khoo, Ying Hooi, Li, Mengyao, Légal, Jean-Baptiste, Loughnan, Steve, Mari, Silvia, Tan-Mansukhani, Roseann, Muldoon, Orla, Noor, Masi, Paladino, Maria Paola, Petrović, Nebojša, Selvanathan, Hema Preya, Uluğ, Özden Melis ... Burrows, B. (2022). Trust in scientific information mediates associations between conservatism and coronavirus responses in the U.S., but few other nations. Scientific Reports, 12 (1) 3724, 1-15. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-07508-6
2022
Journal Article
How being rooted in the past can shape the future: the role of social identity continuity in the wish for a strong leader
Selvanathan, Hema Preya, Crimston, Charlie R. and Jetten, Jolanda (2022). How being rooted in the past can shape the future: the role of social identity continuity in the wish for a strong leader. The Leadership Quarterly, 33 (4) 101608, 101608. doi: 10.1016/j.leaqua.2022.101608
2022
Journal Article
Cracks before the crisis: polarization prior to COVID‐19 predicts increased collective angst and economic pessimism
Crimston, Charlie R., Selvanathan, Hema Preya, Álvarez, Belén, Jetten, Jolanda, Bentley, Sarah, Casara, Bruno Gabriel Salvador, Ionescu, Octavia, Krug, Henning, Steffens, Niklas K., Tanjitpiyanond, Porntida and Wibisono, Susilo (2022). Cracks before the crisis: polarization prior to COVID‐19 predicts increased collective angst and economic pessimism. European Journal of Social Psychology, 52 (4), 669-678. doi: 10.1002/ejsp.2845
2022
Journal Article
Experiments make a good breakfast, but a poor supper
Jetten, Jolanda, Selvanathan, Hema Preya, Crimston, Charlie R., Bentley, Sarah V. and Haslam, S. Alexander (2022). Experiments make a good breakfast, but a poor supper. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 45 e79. doi: 10.1017/s0140525x21000662
2021
Journal Article
My fight or yours: stereotypes of activists from advantaged and disadvantaged groups
Burrows, Brooke, Preya Selvanathan, Hema and Lickel, Brian (2021). My fight or yours: stereotypes of activists from advantaged and disadvantaged groups. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 49 (1), 1461672211060124-124. doi: 10.1177/01461672211060124
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Hema Preya Selvanathan is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Boundary beliefs of cisgender women and their implications for allyship with transgender women
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jolanda Jetten
-
Doctor Philosophy
Can We Handle the Heat? A Social Identity Analysis of Climate Concern and Action in Community Group Contexts
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jolanda Jetten
-
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the challenges and opportunities for achieving social equality in a diversifying society: A social identity approach.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jolanda Jetten
Completed supervision
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Why does the upper-class care? Explaining the involvement of the upper-class in actions for social equality
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jolanda Jetten
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Hema Preya Selvanathan directly for media enquiries about:
- allyship
- conflict
- protests
- reconciliation
- social change
- social movements
- solidarity
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: