Overview
Background
Nik is Associate Professor and Director of the Centre for Business and Organisational Psychology (CBOP) at UQ's School of Psychology. After studying and working in Germany, the UK, and Spain, he completed his PhD at the University of Exeter (UK) and joined UQ in 2012.
His research unpacks the psychology of teams and organisations: how shared identity and team processes shape leadership and followership, motivation and creativity, and health and well-being. He combines experiments, field, survey, and archival research, intervention trials, psychometric development, and systematic reviews / meta-analyses to generate informative and practical insights.
His work has been supported by industry–research partnerships with public and private organisations, Government, and the Australian Research Council (including a DECRA fellowship). With colleagues and industry collaborators, he co-developed the 5R leadership programme—recognised with the APS Workplace Excellence Award (Leadership Development)—to help develop people's leadership ability and enhance team functioning and well-being (https://tinyurl.com/adfu7xbu).
He is a co-founder of the Global Identity Leadership Development (GILD) network and serves on the editorial boards of The Leadership Quarterly and the European Journal of Social Psychology. He is co-editor (with Michelle Ryan and Floor Rink) of Organisational Psychology: Revisiting the Classic Studies (SAGE, 2023) (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/organisational-psychology/book269849).
Through research–practice partnerships, he offers data- and evidence-based consulting and organisational coaching (certified by the Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership), helping organisations translate research into performance and wellbeing gains.
Availability
- Associate Professor Nik Steffens is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Exeter
Works
Search Professor Nik Steffens’s works on UQ eSpace
2021
Journal Article
Life change, social identity, and health
Haslam, Catherine, Haslam, S. Alexander, Jetten, Jolanda, Cruwys, Tegan and Steffens, Niklas K. (2021). Life change, social identity, and health. Annual Review of Psychology, 72 (1), 635-661. doi: 10.1146/annurev-psych-060120-111721
2021
Journal Article
To which world regions does the valence–dominance model of social perception apply?
Jones, Benedict C., DeBruine, Lisa M., Flake, Jessica K., Liuzza, Marco Tullio, Antfolk, Jan, Arinze, Nwadiogo C., Ndukaihe, Izuchukwu L. G., Bloxsom, Nicholas G., Lewis, Savannah C., Foroni, Francesco, Willis, Megan L., Cubillas, Carmelo P., Vadillo, Miguel A., Turiegano, Enrique, Gilead, Michael, Simchon, Almog, Saribay, S. Adil, Owsley, Nicholas C., Jang, Chaning, Mburu, Georgina, Calvillo, Dustin P., Wlodarczyk, Anna, Qi, Yue, Ariyabuddhiphongs, Kris, Jarukasemthawee, Somboon, Manley, Harry, Suavansri, Panita, Taephant, Nattasuda, Stolier, Ryan M. ... Coles, Nicholas A. (2021). To which world regions does the valence–dominance model of social perception apply?. Nature Human Behaviour, 5 (1), 159-169. doi: 10.1038/s41562-020-01007-2
2021
Journal Article
Exemplifying “Us”: Integrating social identity theory of leadership with cognitive models of categorization
Sewell, David K., Ballard, Timothy and Steffens, Niklas K. (2021). Exemplifying “Us”: Integrating social identity theory of leadership with cognitive models of categorization. The Leadership Quarterly, 33 (4) 101517, 101517. doi: 10.1016/j.leaqua.2021.101517
2021
Journal Article
Identity leadership in a crisis: a 5R framework for learning from responses to COVID-19
Haslam, S. Alexander, Steffens, Niklas K., Reicher, Stephen D. and Bentley, Sarah V. (2021). Identity leadership in a crisis: a 5R framework for learning from responses to COVID-19. Social Issues and Policy Review, 15 (1), 35-83. doi: 10.1111/sipr.12075
2021
Journal Article
Promoting Open Science: a holistic approach to changing behaviour
Robson, Samuel G., Baum, Myriam A., Beaudry, Jennifer L., Beitner, Julia, Brohmer, Hilmar, Chin, Jason M., Jasko, Katarzyna, Kouros, Chrystyna D., Laukkonen, Ruben E., Moreau, David, Searston, Rachel A., Slagter, Heleen A., Steffens, Niklas K., Tangen, Jason M. and Thomas, Amberyn (2021). Promoting Open Science: a holistic approach to changing behaviour. Collabra: Psychology, 7 (1) 30137, 1-20. doi: 10.1525/collabra.30137
2021
Journal Article
A trouble shared is a trouble halved: the role of family identification and identification with humankind in well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic
Frenzel, Svenja B., Junker, Nina M., Avanzi, Lorenzo, Bolatov, Aidos, Haslam, S. Alexander, Häusser, Jan A., Kark, Ronit, Meyer, Ines, Mojzisch, Andreas, Monzani, Lucas, Reicher, Stephen, Samekin, Adil, Schury, Valerie A., Steffens, Niklas K., Sultanova, Liliya, Van Dijk, Dina, van Zyl, Llewellyn E. and Van Dick, Rolf (2021). A trouble shared is a trouble halved: the role of family identification and identification with humankind in well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. British Journal of Social Psychology, 61 (1) bjso.12470, 55-82. doi: 10.1111/bjso.12470
2020
Newspaper Article
Erfolgreich ein Wir-Gefühl aufbauen: Führen mit Identity Leadership
van Dick, Rolf and Steffens, Niklas K. (2020, 11 01). Erfolgreich ein Wir-Gefühl aufbauen: Führen mit Identity Leadership Harvard Business Manager 38-45.
2020
Journal Article
All for us and us for all: introducing the 5R Shared Leadership Program
Fransen, Katrien, Haslam, S. Alexander, Steffens, Niklas K., Peters, Kim, Mallett, Clifford J., Mertens, Niels and Boen, Filip (2020). All for us and us for all: introducing the 5R Shared Leadership Program. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 51 101762, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101762
2020
Journal Article
The narcissistic appeal of leadership theories
Steffens, Niklas K. and Haslam, S. Alexander (2020). The narcissistic appeal of leadership theories. American Psychologist, 77 (2), 234-248. doi: 10.1037/amp0000738
2020
Journal Article
The psychology of leadership destabilization: an analysis of the 2016 U.S. Presidential Debates
Maskor, Mazlan, Steffens, Niklas K. and Haslam, S. Alexander (2020). The psychology of leadership destabilization: an analysis of the 2016 U.S. Presidential Debates. Political Psychology, 42 (2), 265-289. doi: 10.1111/pops.12698
2020
Book Chapter
Death becomes us! Rethinking leadership charisma as a social inference
Fink, Louisa, Dick, Rolf van, Steffens, Niklas K., Peters, Kim and Haslam, S. Alexander (2020). Death becomes us! Rethinking leadership charisma as a social inference. Routledge international handbook of charisma. (pp. 468-479) edited by José Pedro Zúquete. Abingdon, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9780429263224-48
2020
Journal Article
Advancing the social identity theory of leadership: a meta-analytic review of leader group prototypicality
Steffens, Niklas K., Munt, Katie A., van Knippenberg, Daan, Platow, Michael J. and Haslam, S. Alexander (2020). Advancing the social identity theory of leadership: a meta-analytic review of leader group prototypicality. Organizational Psychology Review, 11 (1) 2041386620962569, 204138662096256-72. doi: 10.1177/2041386620962569
2020
Journal Article
Will the real leaders please stand up? The emergence of shared leadership in semi-professional soccer teams
Mertens, Niels, Boen, Filip, Steffens, Niklas K., Haslam, S. Alexander and Fransen, Katrien (2020). Will the real leaders please stand up? The emergence of shared leadership in semi-professional soccer teams. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 24 (3), 281-290. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2020.09.007
2020
Journal Article
Prosperous but fearful of falling: the wealth paradox, collective angst, and opposition to immigration
Jetten, Jolanda, Mols, Frank and Steffens, Niklas K. (2020). Prosperous but fearful of falling: the wealth paradox, collective angst, and opposition to immigration. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 47 (5), 014616722094411-780. doi: 10.1177/0146167220944112
2020
Book Chapter
Leadership
Steffens, Niklas K., Fransen, Katrien and Haslam, S. Alexander (2020). Leadership. The new psychology of sport and exercise: the social identity approach . (pp. 41-58) edited by S. Alexander Haslam, Katrien Fransen and Filip Boen. Thousand Oaks, CA USA: Sage Publications.
2020
Book Chapter
Compliance and followership
Steffens, Niklas K. (2020). Compliance and followership. Together apart: the psychology of COVID-19. (pp. 31-35) edited by Jolanda Jetten, Stephen D. Reicher, S. Alexander Haslam and Tegan Cruwys. London, United Kingdom: Sage Publications. doi: 10.4135/9781529751680.n4
2020
Newspaper Article
Die Heilkraft des Wir: warum es gesund ist sich verbunden zu fühlen
Haslam, Catherine, Steffens, Niklas K. and van Dick, Rolf (2020, 07 01). Die Heilkraft des Wir: warum es gesund ist sich verbunden zu fühlen Gehirn und Geist 12-19.
2020
Journal Article
Identity economics meets identity leadership: exploring the consequences of elevated CEO pay
Steffens, Niklas K., Haslam, S. Alexander, Peters, Kim and Quiggin, John (2020). Identity economics meets identity leadership: exploring the consequences of elevated CEO pay. The Leadership Quarterly, 31 (3) 101269, 101269. doi: 10.1016/j.leaqua.2018.10.001
2020
Journal Article
Standing out from the crowd: identifying the traits and behaviors that characterize high‐quality athlete leaders
Fransen, Katrien, Haslam, S. Alexander, Steffens, Niklas K. and Boen, Filip (2020). Standing out from the crowd: identifying the traits and behaviors that characterize high‐quality athlete leaders. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 30 (4) sms.13620, 766-786. doi: 10.1111/sms.13620
2020
Book Chapter
Developing effective on- and off-field leadership in elite soccer
Slater, Matthew J., Steffens, Niklas K., Fransen, Katrien and Haslam, S. Alexander (2020). Developing effective on- and off-field leadership in elite soccer. The psychology of soccer. (pp. 60-73) edited by Joseph G. Dixon, Jamie B. Barker, Richard C. Thelwell and Ian Mitchell. New York, NY USA: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003005568-6
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Nik Steffens is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
The Role of Social Identity in Leadership Coaching
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alex Haslam
-
Doctor Philosophy
From Privilege to Autocracy: The Hidden Costs of Inequality in Resource Distribution on Leadership Behaviors
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alex Haslam
-
Doctor Philosophy
Can the outcome of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) coaching intervention promoting wellbeing for recent graduates be improved by incorporating a social identity approach, specifically identity leadership behaviours?
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alex Haslam, Dr Tarli Young
Completed supervision
-
2025
Master Philosophy
Leadership in Group Exercise
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alex Haslam
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding what it means to be 'us': Collective identity content and clarity.
Principal Advisor
-
2023
Master Philosophy
What Does it Mean to Follow? Exploring Theories, Definitions, and Measures of Followership
Principal Advisor
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
How leaders fall: Exploring the process of leadership destabilization
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alex Haslam
-
2026
Doctor Philosophy
A Social Identity Perspective on Athlete Career Transitions in Elite Sports
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Catherine Haslam, Professor Alex Haslam
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Identity leadership in action: An ethnographic approach to identify leadership behaviours in a professional football team
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alex Haslam, Professor Cliff Mallett
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Scaling identity leadership: Pathways to the implementation of a social identity-based leadership development program
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alex Haslam
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
From Intent to Impact: Spotlighting the Understudied Role of Employee Inclusivity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Stacey Parker, Professor Tyler Okimoto
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Social Connectedness and Retirement Adjustment: The Contribution of Social Participation and Social Group Memberships
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Catherine Haslam
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
An Examination of Players' Shared Leadership in the Australian Men's Professional Football League
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Steven Rynne, Professor Cliff Mallett
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Who Aspires to Have More? The Impacts of Social Class and Economic Inequality on People's Desire for Wealth and Status
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jolanda Jetten
-
2017
Master Philosophy
A Social Identity Perspective on the Management of Confidential Information in Organisational Contexts
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alex Haslam
Media
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