Dr. Liane Young is a distinguished scholar and leading authority in the field of moral psychology and cognitive neuroscience. She currently serves as Professor of Psychology at Boston College where she directs the Morality Lab, a research center dedicated to advancing our understanding of human moral cognition. Dr. Young received her BA in Philosophy and PhD in Psychology from Harvard University in 2004 and 2008 respectively, following which she completed postdoctoral training at MIT's Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences. Her academic journey has positioned her at the forefront of interdisciplinary research bridging philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience to unravel the complexities of moral judgment.
Dr. Young's groundbreaking research has fundamentally transformed our understanding of the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying moral decision-making, with her work cited over 33,000 times according to Google Scholar. She pioneered innovative methodologies combining functional magnetic resonance imaging, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and the study of patient populations to elucidate how theory of mind and emotional processes interact in moral judgment. Her influential publications in premier journals such as Trends in Cognitive Sciences and Psychological Science have demonstrated how people's moral evaluations depend critically on mental state reasoning and social relationship contexts. This rigorous systematic approach has established new frameworks for understanding how we navigate ethical dilemmas in everyday life and has reshaped theoretical models in moral psychology.
Beyond her research excellence, Dr. Young has earned significant recognition including the Psychonomic Society's Early Career Award in 2018 for her exceptional contributions to the field of experimental psychology. Her expertise has been sought by major media outlets including The New York Times, National Public Radio, and CNN where she has provided insightful commentary on the science of moral cognition. As a dedicated mentor, she has trained numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who have gone on to establish their own successful research careers. Currently, Dr. Young continues to push the boundaries of moral psychology through her laboratory's cutting-edge investigations into how social relationships and context shape our moral intuitions, ensuring her ongoing influence in shaping the future direction of cognitive science and ethical philosophy.
