Overview
Background
Nik is Associate Professor and Director of the Centre for Business and Organisational Psychology (CBOP) in UQ's School of Psychology. He lived, worked, and studied psychology in Germany and Spain and completed his PhD in the UK before working at The University of Queensland (Australia).
Nik conducts fundamental and applied research to uncover psychological drivers that make groups and organisations fairer, more motivating, more effective, and healthier. His expertise lies in social identity and team work processes in social and organisational contexts including leadership and followership, motivation and creativity, and health and well-being. He uses diverse methods to understand people and organisations including experimental and intervention studies, field and survey research, archival methods, psychometric scale development, and systematic reviews and meta-analysis.
His work has been supported by several bodies including the Australian Research Council (e.g., he was awarded an ARC DECRA fellowship in 2018), the Australian Government, and several industry research-partnerships (with public and private organisations). In 2017, he won the APS Workplace Excellence Award for Leadership Development (together with Alex Haslam and Kim Peters) for his work with industry partners on the 5R leadership development program that seeks to help leaders to develop their leadership ability and enhance team functioning and well-being (https://tinyurl.com/adfu7xbu). He consults to organisations around social and organisational challenges and he is an (IECL-certified) orgnisational coach.
Nik is a co-founding member of the Global Identity Leadership Development (GILD) network of global leadership scholars, and serves on the Editorial Board of the European Journal of Social Psychology, and the flagship journal for leadership research, The Leadership Quarterly. He is Editor (with Michelle Ryan and Floor Rink) of the 'Organisational Psychology: Revisiting the Classic studies' published in 2023 as part of SAGE's classic studies in psychology series (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/organisational-psychology/book269849).
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
2019
Journal Article
Merger-specific trust cues in the development of trust in new supervisors during an organizational merger: a naturally occurring quasi-experiment
Lipponen, Jukka, Kaltiainen, Janne, van der Werff, Lisa and Steffens, Niklas K. (2019). Merger-specific trust cues in the development of trust in new supervisors during an organizational merger: a naturally occurring quasi-experiment. The Leadership Quarterly, 31 (4) 101365, 101365. doi: 10.1016/j.leaqua.2019.101365
2019
Journal Article
Friendships that money can buy: financial security protects health in retirement by enabling social connectedness
Cruwys, Tegan, Haslam, Catherine, Steffens, Niklas K., Haslam, S Alexander, Fong, Polly and Lam, Ben C. P. (2019). Friendships that money can buy: financial security protects health in retirement by enabling social connectedness. BMC Geriatrics, 19 (1) 319, 319. doi: 10.1186/s12877-019-1281-1
2019
Journal Article
Putting the ‘we’ into workout: the association of identity leadership with exercise class attendance and effort, and the mediating role of group identification and comfort
Steffens, Niklas K., Slade, Emma L., Stevens, Mark, Haslam, S. Alexander and Rees, Tim (2019). Putting the ‘we’ into workout: the association of identity leadership with exercise class attendance and effort, and the mediating role of group identification and comfort. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 45 101544, 101544. doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2019.101544
2019
Journal Article
Making ‘us’ better: high-quality athlete leadership relates to health and burnout in professional Australian football teams
Fransen, Katrien, Haslam, S. Alexander, Steffens, Niklas K., Mallett, Clifford J., Peters, Kim and Boen, Filip (2019). Making ‘us’ better: high-quality athlete leadership relates to health and burnout in professional Australian football teams. European Journal of Sport Science, 20 (7), 1-11. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2019.1680736
2019
Journal Article
Longitudinal evidence for the effects of social group engagement on the cognitive and mental health of Chinese retirees
Lam, Ben C P, Haslam, Catherine, Steffens, Niklas K, Yang, Jie, Haslam, S. Alexander, Cruwys, Tegan and Pachana, Nancy A (2019). Longitudinal evidence for the effects of social group engagement on the cognitive and mental health of Chinese retirees. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 75 (10), 2142-2151. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbz134
Featured
2019
Journal Article
Social identification-building interventions to improve health: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Steffens, Niklas K., La Rue, Crystal J., Haslam, Catherine, Walter, Zoe C., Cruwys, Tegan, Munt, Katie A., Alexander Haslam, S., Jetten, Jolanda and Tarrant, Mark (2019). Social identification-building interventions to improve health: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Health Psychology Review, 15 (1), 1-28. doi: 10.1080/17437199.2019.1669481
2019
Journal Article
Leaders’ creation of shared identity impacts group members’ effort and performance: Evidence from an exercise task
Stevens, Mark, Rees, Tim, Steffens, Niklas K., Haslam, S. Alexander, Coffee, Pete and Polman, Remco (2019). Leaders’ creation of shared identity impacts group members’ effort and performance: Evidence from an exercise task. PLoS One, 14 (7) e0218984, e0218984. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218984
2019
Book Chapter
The importance of creating and harnessing a sense of ‘us’: social identity as the missing link between leadership and health
Haslam, S. Alexander, Steffens, Niklas K. and Peters, Kim (2019). The importance of creating and harnessing a sense of ‘us’: social identity as the missing link between leadership and health. Social scaffolding: applying the lessons of contemporary social science to health and healthcare. (pp. 302-311) edited by Richard Williams, Verity Kemp, S. Alexander Haslam, Catherine Haslam, Kamaldeep S. Bhui and Sue Bailey. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/9781911623069.029
2019
Journal Article
Shared social identity content is the basis for leaders’ mobilization of followers
Slater, Matthew J., Coffee, Pete, Barker, Jamie B., Haslam, S. Alexander and Steffens, Niklas K. (2019). Shared social identity content is the basis for leaders’ mobilization of followers. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 43, 271-278. doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2019.03.012
2019
Journal Article
One of us … and us … and us: evidence that leaders’ multiple identity prototypicality (LMIP) is related to their perceived effectiveness
Steffens, Niklas K., Peters, Kim, Haslam, S. Alexander and Platow, Michael J. (2019). One of us … and us … and us: evidence that leaders’ multiple identity prototypicality (LMIP) is related to their perceived effectiveness. Comprehensive Results in Social Psychology, 3 (2), 175-199. doi: 10.1080/23743603.2019.1624156
2019
Book Chapter
Inspired and appreciated by the group: the social identity approach to creativity
Haslam, S. Alexander, Adarves-Yorno, Inmaculada, Steffens, Niklas K. and Postmes, Tom (2019). Inspired and appreciated by the group: the social identity approach to creativity. The Oxford handbook of group creativity and innovation. (pp. 117-131) edited by Paul B. Paulus and Bernard A. Nijstad. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190648077.013.8
2019
Journal Article
Gender differences in how leaders determine succession potential: the role of interpersonal fit with followers
Rink, Floor, Stoker, Janka, Ryan, Michelle K., Steffens, Niklas K. and Pieterse, Anne Nederveen (2019). Gender differences in how leaders determine succession potential: the role of interpersonal fit with followers. Frontiers in Psychology, 10 (MAY) 752, 752. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00752
2019
Journal Article
Predictors of social identification in group therapy
Cruwys, Tegan, Steffens, Niklas K., Haslam, S. Alexander, Haslam, Catherine, Hornsey, Matthew J., McGarty, Craig and Skorich, Daniel P. (2019). Predictors of social identification in group therapy. Psychotherapy Research, 30 (3), 1-14. doi: 10.1080/10503307.2019.1587193
2019
Book Chapter
Fat cats and thin followers: excessive CEO pay may reduce ability to lead
Peters, Kim, Fonseca, Miguel A., Haslam, S. Alexander, Steffens, Niklas K. and Quiggin, John (2019). Fat cats and thin followers: excessive CEO pay may reduce ability to lead. The social psychology of inequality. (pp. 21-34) edited by Jolanda Jetten and Kim Peters. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-28856-3_2
2019
Journal Article
The importance of social groups for retirement adjustment: evidence, application, and policy implications of the social identity model of identity change
Haslam, Catherine, Steffens, Niklas K., Branscombe, Nyla R., Haslam, S. Alexander, Cruwys, Tegan, Lam, Ben C. P., Pachana, Nancy A. and Yang, Jie (2019). The importance of social groups for retirement adjustment: evidence, application, and policy implications of the social identity model of identity change. Social Issues and Policy Review, 13 (1), 93-124. doi: 10.1111/sipr.12049
2019
Book Chapter
Do people want more wealth and status in unequal societies?
Wang, Zhechen, Jetten, Jolanda and Steffens, Niklas K. (2019). Do people want more wealth and status in unequal societies?. The Social Psychology of Inequality. (pp. 289-303) edited by Jolanda Jetten and Kim Peters. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-28856-3_18
2018
Journal Article
Colitis promotes a pathological condition of the liver in the absence of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells
Mathies, Franziska, Steffens, Niklas, Kleinschmidt, Doerte, Stuhlmann, Friederike, Huber, Francis J., Roy, Urmi, Meyer, Thomas, Luetgehetmann, Marc, Von Petersdorff, Mareike, Seiz, Oliver, Herkel, Johannes, Schramm, Christoph, Flavell, Richard A., Gagliani, Nicola, Krebs, Christian, Panzer, Ulf, Abdullah, Zeinab, Strowig, Till, Bedke, Tanja and Huber, Samuel (2018). Colitis promotes a pathological condition of the liver in the absence of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. Journal of Immunology, 201 (12), 3558-3568. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1800711
2018
Journal Article
Shared adversity increases team creativity through fostering supportive interaction
Bastian, Brock, Jetten, Jolanda, Thai, Hannibal A. and Steffens, Niklas K. (2018). Shared adversity increases team creativity through fostering supportive interaction. Frontiers in Psychology, 9 (NOV) 2309, 2309. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02309
2018
Journal Article
Adjusting to life in retirement: the protective role of new group memberships and identification as a retiree
Haslam, Catherine, Lam, Ben C. P., Branscombe, Nyla R., Steffens, Niklas K., Haslam, S. Alexander, Cruwys, Tegan, Fong, Polly and Ball, Thomas C. (2018). Adjusting to life in retirement: the protective role of new group memberships and identification as a retiree. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 27 (6), 822-839. doi: 10.1080/1359432X.2018.1538127
2018
Journal Article
Attributions of leaders’ charisma increase after their death: The mediating role of identity leadership and identity fusion
van Dick, Rolf, Fink, Louisa, Steffens, Niklas K, Peters, Kim and Haslam, S. Alexander (2018). Attributions of leaders’ charisma increase after their death: The mediating role of identity leadership and identity fusion. Leadership, 15 (5), 174271501880704-589. doi: 10.1177/1742715018807042
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Nik Steffens is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Master Philosophy
The Impact of Leadership on Exercisers Experience of, and Participation in, Group Exercise Contexts
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
The Role of Social Identity in Leadership Coaching
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alex Haslam
-
Master Philosophy
Leadership in Group Exercise
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alex Haslam
-
Doctor Philosophy
Social identity processes affecting retirement from sport
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Catherine Haslam, Professor Alex Haslam
-
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
-
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
-
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating the efficacy of 5R as a leadership intervention and training program
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alex Haslam
Completed supervision
-
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
-
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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