The IDEAL Lab is a growing Industrial and Organizational Psychology research group in the Psychology Department at LSU.
Led by Dr. Vanessa Burke Ph.D., an I/O Psychologist who joined the department in 2022, the lab applies interdisciplinary theory and cutting-edge methodology to examine behavioral, demographic, and structural forms of organizational power—focusing on who is granted leadership and decision-making authority in workplaces. We are committed to addressing the big questions in organizational research, including how to conceptualize and measure intersectionality, how organizations can respond to the current pushback against DEI initiatives and, and how to promote inclusive leadership.
Beyond leadership and power structures, our lab also conducts research on women’s health and grieving in the workplace, examining how organizations support (or fail to support) employees through experiences such as pregnancy loss or menopause and other reproductive health challenges. This work seeks to identify how organizational policies, workplace culture, and leadership influence emotional recovery, career outcomes, and overall well-being.
Beyond leadership and power structures, our lab also conducts research on women’s health and grieving in the workplace, examining how organizations support (or fail to support) employees through experiences such as pregnancy loss or menopause and other reproductive health challenges. This work seeks to identify how organizational policies, workplace culture, and leadership influence emotional recovery, career outcomes, and overall well-being.
We recognize accessibility is a critical part of equity in science. Our work extends beyond research to consider how knowledge is communicated and who has access to it, aligning with broader efforts to make organizational science more inclusive and impactful beyond traditional academic institutions. Through our research, we seek not only to understand, challenge, and improve the way organizations approach diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Although primarily a research laboratory, we also enjoy opportunities to apply research-based tools and evidence to solve real-world problems by partnering with local businesses and institutions. If you are interested in how we can work with you to develop leadership, improve job attitudes, support worker wellbeing or promote sustainable and effective diversity management practices, please visit the "Contact Us" page.
Although primarily a research laboratory, we also enjoy opportunities to apply research-based tools and evidence to solve real-world problems by partnering with local businesses and institutions. If you are interested in how we can work with you to develop leadership, improve job attitudes, support worker wellbeing or promote sustainable and effective diversity management practices, please visit the "Contact Us" page.
Lab Announcements
- Sydney Roux was awarded the Hurtson Award from the Louisiana State University Unit of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. This award is given to a graduate student who serves as a mentor and makes an impact on undergraduates.
- Congratulations to undergraduate Gabrielle Mellor on accepting an offer to become a PhD student in I/O Psychology at the University of Oklahoma starting in Fall of 2025!
- Congratulations to Kennedi George who successfully defended her honors thesis, " Verdicts in Color: Evaluation of the Impacts of Racial Resentment on Juror Decision-Making" in April 2024!
- Congratulations to Sydney Roux on successfully defending her Master's thesis in December 2024, titled "Addressing Agency in Intersectional Leadership: The Consequences of Agentic Leader Behaviors for Black and White Men and Women in Leadership"!
- Gabrielle Mellor, an undergraduate research assistant double majoring in Psychology and English has been awarded an Undergraduate Project Grant from the Office of Undergraduate Research to support her project "You Work Like a Girl: Understanding the Regulation of Masculinity Violations in the Workplace"
- Congratulations Dr. Sydney Green on earning her Ph.D. in I/O Psychology in December 2023!
- Russell Marshall, an undergraduate RA and Psychology Major, has accepted an offer to join the Depaul I/O Psychology Ph.D. program starting in the Fall of 2023!