From Individual to Collective: Examining the Psychology of Safety

Title: From Individual to Collective: Examining the Psychology of Safety

Description: This research focuses on the complex relationship between safety and anxiety, from individual to collective experiences. This research approaches safety as a core need around which human behaviour and social relations are organized, and as critical to anxiety and stress regulation and well-being. Psychological theories of safety emphasize individual and interpersonal processes underlying safety experiences. The aim in this research is to extend theories to engage with safety as a subjective experience that is also informed by broader social, political, and cultural forces.

For this research, we are seeking to interview English-speaking psychologists who engage with different levels of psychological experience (clinical/counselling, social/community, or critical/theoretical psychologists). Psychologists will complete interviews exploring their conceptualizations of safety, how they address safety directly or indirectly in research or practice, and knowledge and tools from their discipline that may be useful for promoting psychological and social conditions that support individual and collective safety.

This research is completely voluntary. Audio recording of interviews is a requirement for participation. Participant identity will be anonymized in all data. We also ask that you forward this study to any psychologists who may be interested in participating.

Specifics: Study Population:
- Psychologist in or outside Canada
- Research or practice focused on at least 1 of the following:
a. Safety and/or anxiety experiences
b. Community/collective wellbeing
c. Psychological experiences in relation to systems/structures of power

Participant Obligation: Participants will review the consent form, complete a demographics questionnaire for the purposes of describing the sample and verifying eligibility, and participate in a 1 to 1.5 hour virtual interview in English containing open-ended questions.

Location: Online - Toronto, ON

Project lead: Justice Cupid, Supervisor: Naomi Koerner

Study Dates: October 7, 2025 to May 30, 2026

Study Website: https://ryersonpsych.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2n5SA101frURgLI