Our Research Team

Dr. Julia Marshall (she/her) is a professor at Brown University. She received her PhD in psychology from Yale University. Afterward, she was an NSF SBE post-doctoral fellow at Boston College.

Her research focuses on the foundations of human moral and social cognition, with a particular emphasis on how these processes develop in childhood. Her work explores questions such as: Do children have an early-emerging sense of morality, fairness, and justice? How do these moral concepts develop and evolve across different cultures and social contexts? To address these questions, she conducts experimental research with children aged 4 to 12, employing a cross-cultural lens to examine both universal patterns and cultural variations. In addition to her work with children, Julia also extends her research to adult populations to trace the developmental trajectory of moral and social understanding.

In her free-time, Julia enjoys hot yoga, hanging out with her cat, and watching football.

​For more information, check out Julia’s personal website.

Fia Boffey (she/her) is the manager of the Mind & Morality Lab. She received her Bachelor of Science in linguistics and linguistic anthropology from Brown University in May 2024. During her time as an undergrad at Brown, she worked as a senior research assistant in the Computational Cognitive Development Lab with Dr. Daphna Buchsbaum. She is broadly interested in questions related to the intersection of language, culture, and cognitive development.

When she is not in the lab, Fia can be found playing quadball (AKA quidditch) and beginning elaborate crochet projects that she very rarely finishes.

Amy is a first-year Ph.D. student in the Mind & Morality Lab. She graduated from Boston College, where she earned bachelor degrees in psychology and communication. Amy’s research interests are broadly focused on understanding how cooperation manifests and is maintained in different communities and cultures. She is also interested in the motives that underlie cooperative mechanisms such as punishment.

Ella (she/her) is a junior at Brown University pursuing a double concentration in biology and anthropology. She is curious about how sociocultural bonds and relationships shape children’s understanding of their duties and cooperative behavior. 

Outside of academics, Ella dabbles in digital illustration, enjoys hiking new trails, and loves uncovering the charm of local coffee spots.

Farah (she/her) is a senior at Brown University pursuing a double concentration in cognitive neuroscience and literary arts. She is curious about how culture, environment, and race may inform children’s moral development in the context of bias and prejudice.

In her free time Farah enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time in nature.

Tatsuya (he/him) is a sophomore at Brown University pursuing a double concentration in Modern Culture and Media and Cognitive Neuroscience. He is interested in the role of culture and media in children’s development of morality and behavior.

Outside of the lab, Tatsuya enjoys drawing, decorating cookies with his family, and digging holes at the beach.

Victoria is a freshman at Brown interested in Philosophy, English, and Psychology. She is interested in the early development of children and how outside factors can change their trajectory of growth.

In her free time, Victoria loves wheel throwing, thrifting, watching 2000s movies, and eating with her friends.