Dr. Jason Proulx

Dr. Jason Proulx is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Australian National University (ANU), School of Medicine and Psychology. Jason broadly examines how to promote well-being and mental health, prosociality, and social connection for people of all ages, including through community- and school-based interventions (e.g., intergenerational programs, philanthropy education programs). His research uses mixed-methods, open science, and community-engaged research practices. He received his PhD and MA at Simon Fraser University and his B.A. (Hons.) at the University of British Columbia.

At ANU, Jason contributes to several lines of research to inform and improve government policies and decision making aimed at enhancing youth well-being, mental health, and education in the Australian Capital Territory. Specifically, using various methods and data sources, including population level cross-sector data, he (1) identifys early-life protective factors against childhood and youth self-harm and suicidality and (2) examines the relationship between early-life disadvantage—such as socioeconomic, demographic, health and lifestyle characteristics of children and families—on children's learning trajectories and education outcomes.

In his PhD, he examined the social-emotional benefits of real-world interventions, such as Intergenerational programs and Experiential Philanthropy Programs, for youth, older adults, and adults in the community. Specificially, he examined if and how such interventions develop child and youth prosociality, foster meaningful  social connections and inclusive communities, and promote people's social-emotional well-being.

Jason collaborates closely with non-profits, communities, and engages with government, practitioners, community members, and participants to meaningfully contribute to project design, data collection/analyses, and dissemination. He is trained in various quantitative and qualitative methods and uses pre-registration (i.e., pre-specifying hypothesis and analytic plans in advance of data collection/analyses) and open-science practices to increase the evidentiary value of his work.

Jason also examines how shared prosocial acts—like donating to charity together with a peer—impacts generosity, social connectedness, and intrinsic enjoyment as well as the social and emotional consequences of using smartphone technology.