Introductory Course for Early Career Researchers: Psychological Science and Effective Altruism

The Global Risk Behavioral Research Group will run an online introductory course on conducting psychological research related to effective altruism and longtermism starting in Spring of 2024 (applications are closed now). The program is intended for early career researchers who are interested in effective altruism and keen to explore psychological research as a potential career path.

WHAT STUDENTS WILL LEARN IN THIS ONLINE COURSE

  • Overall, the purpose of this course is for participants to get a sense of how psychological research related to effective altruism is conducted, what methods are used, and what topics are relevant. Participants will get a chance to explore if this may be a good career fit for them.

  • Overview of the field of psychology and effective altruism and longtermism

    • To get a sense, take a look at our research agenda and publications

  • How to think about ‘theory of impact’ from an EA perspective when choosing amongst research topics

  • Learning from more senior researchers about their EA-related projects, their approaches, and solutions to challenges 

  • Basic research skills, such as how to develop research ideas, design rigorous studies, apply open science techniques, and analyze data

WHO IS THIS FOR?

  • Undergraduate and graduate students, RAs, and professionals who are seriously considering (academic) psychological research related to effective altruism as a career path

    • Ideally, participants are studying/have studied psychology, behavioral science, or a related field

  • Interest in and at least some familiarity with the ideas of effective altruism and longtermism. 

  • A requirement for admission is that participants have read/listened to the following:

    • Thinking Fast and Slow

    • At least one of the following EA-related books: Doing Good Better, The Precipice, What We Owe The Future, Scout Mindset

    • At least two episodes from the 80,000 Hours podcast specifically related to longtermism or existential risk

  • If you already have solid research experience (e.g., first-author empirical publication), then this course is too basic for you. Please get in touch with us using our contact form to explore other opportunities.

FORMAT AND LOGISTICS

  • When: Spring 2024. Applications close end of 2023.

  • Total expected time invested: ca. 20 hours (over a period of about 12 weeks)

  • Syllabus/reading materials (ca. 4 hours total)

  • Two 1.5-hour Zoom sessions with talks, discussions and Q&A (Saturdays, 2nd and 16th of March, 4:00 pm GMT / 11:00 am ET)

  • Mini research project (ca. 10 hours of work in total over a period of 2 months) 

  • Participants will be assigned a mentor who will guide them through the mini-project, including one hour-long meeting

  • Final 1.5-hour Zoom session with online presentations of mini-projects (Saturday, 8th of May, 4:00 pm GMT / 11:00 am ET)

  • Optionally, participants can attend separately organized Global Priorities Research & EA Psychology seminar meetings

  • The course is free