Principal Investigator

Holly Recchia (She/Her/Elle)

Holly obtained her PhD in Psychology at Concordia University. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Utah, she is now a Professor in the Department of Education (Early Childhood and Elementary Education/Child Studies). Holly loves dancing with her kids, curling up with a good book, and long dinners with friends. Holly parle aussi couramment le français y un poquito de español.

Doctoral Students

Christine Kinsley

Christine graduated from California State University, Stanislaus in 2017 with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Developmental Concentration. She completed her MA at Concordia University with Dr. Holly Recchia and is now pursuing her PhD in Education. Her research focuses on sibling relationships and how their relationship quality is displayed in their daily interactions. Christine greatly enjoys spending time with her family (she is very close to her siblings!), baking (and sharing the end results), and playing with her black lab mix Ruby.

Malene Bodington (co-supervised by Harriet Petrakos)

Malene completed a Master of Social Science from Lund University in Sweden in 2003 and, after arriving in Canada, completed an M.A. in Sociology from Concordia in 2010. In her Master’s thesis, under the supervision of Dr. Jean-Philippe Warren and Dr. Sylvia Kairouz, she explored in-group and out-group dynamics, intolerance, and social exclusion in the context of immigration and diversity in Denmark and Canada. Since completing her degree in 2010, she has worked on research projects surrounding access to education at Concordia’s Student Parents Centre and the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Malene is a strong proponent of mixed methods research and fascinated by questions surrounding methodological choices in the social sciences. Her research interests include peer relations and peer conflict; inclusion and exclusion; diversity; bullying and anti-bullying programs; resilience; and coping strategies. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking a good meal and sharing it. Her downtime usually involves a good book, crocheting, logic puzzles, or strategy games. She also enjoys getting outside for a long walk, bicycle ride, or run.

Master’s Students

Lys Evenou (She/Her/Hers)

Lys is currently pursuing her M.A. in Child Studies at Concordia University. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Her interest in psychology and children pushed her to continue her studies. She is interested in intersectionality and children’s experiences in school. Lys enjoys crocheting, travelling, and reading romance novels while drinking a good matcha.

Monica Jaramillo (She/Her/Hers)

Monica is currently pursuing her M.A. in Child Studies at Concordia University. With a background in Psychology and Education, her academic journey focuses on understanding and addressing the needs of children in a state of vulnerability. She has worked with the national foster care system in Colombia and in Montréal, with the EMSB, applying special education techniques. Outside of her studies, Monica enjoys watching movies, discovering new cuisines, talking to friends over coffee, taking long walks, cycling and spending quality time with her family and her sweet, wonderful dog: “Canela”.

Tiffany Konov

Tiffany-Rose Konov completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Concordia University. She is currently completing her Master’s in Child Studies and is interested in children’s socio-emotional development. In her spare time, Tiffany enjoys cooking, reading, yoga, and spending time with friends and family.

Undergraduate Thesis Student

Tiana Ferracane (She/Her/Hers)
Tiana is completing her Bachelor of Arts in Specialization Psychology and is currently working on her undergraduate thesis under the supervision of Dr. Recchia. She is interested in students’ moral development and students’ perspectives on adult interventions at school. In the future, she hopes to provide psychotherapy to children and adolescents. In her spare time, Tiana enjoys baking, outdoor activities, playing the piano, and spending time with loved ones.

Research Coordinator

Laura Pareja Conto (She/Her/Hers)
Laura completed her M.A. in Child Studies and Honours Degree (BA) in Psychology at Concordia University under the supervision of Dr. Recchia. Her research explored youths’ sociomoral development, particularly in relation to their experiences of violence and injustice. Laura enjoys reading, yoga, hiking, Brazilian music, and spending time with her loved ones.