Dr. Robert Vallerand stands as a preeminent figure in the field of motivational psychology, renowned for his groundbreaking theoretical contributions and leadership in social psychology research. He currently serves as Full Professor of Psychology at the Université du Québec à Montréal where he holds a prestigious Canada Research Chair in Motivational Processes and Optimal Functioning while directing the Research Laboratory on Social Behavior. After earning his doctorate from the Université de Montréal and completing postdoctoral studies at the University of Waterloo, he established himself as a leading scholar during appointments at the University of Guelph and McGill University where he previously held a Canada Research Chair. His distinguished career trajectory reflects a sustained commitment to advancing psychological science through rigorous theoretical development and empirical investigation.
Professor Vallerand's most influential contribution is the development of the Dualistic Model of Passion, which conceptualizes passion as comprising harmonious and obsessive dimensions with distinct psychological and behavioral outcomes. This seminal framework has generated extensive research across multiple domains including education, work, sports, and relationships, fundamentally reshaping how psychologists understand the complex relationship between passion and well-being. His prolific scholarship encompasses over 400 scientific articles and book chapters that have garnered more than 100,000 citations with an impressive h-index exceeding 135, demonstrating exceptional scholarly impact. His work on motivational processes, particularly regarding the psychology of passion and self-determination theory, has provided critical insights into optimal human functioning and has been widely adopted across diverse cultural contexts internationally.
Beyond his research achievements, Professor Vallerand has significantly shaped the field through extensive editorial leadership, serving as Consulting Editor for premier journals including the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology and Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. He has delivered numerous national and international keynote addresses while presenting colloquia at more than 60 universities worldwide, establishing himself as a sought-after expert in motivational psychology. His mentorship legacy includes supervising over 25 doctoral students who have gone on to become university professors across Canada and Europe, perpetuating his scholarly influence through the next generation of researchers. Currently, his research continues to identify motivational processes that contribute most significantly to optimal human functioning, ensuring his ongoing impact on both theoretical and applied aspects of psychological science.
