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Katy Tam is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto. She received her joint PhD in Psychology from the University of Hong Kong and King’s College London, and completed her Bachelor of Social Sciences at the University of Hong Kong. Following her education, she undertook a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Toronto Scarborough. Dr. Tam’s research focuses on how individuals navigate an adaptive life in a distraction-filled world, exploring seemingly ordinary yet profoundly consequential aspects of daily experiences—such as feelings of boredom, attention span, finding meaning, and the use of digital media—and their impacts on interpersonal behaviour and mental health. Her work integrates theoretical innovation with empirical rigour, employing a diverse range of methodologies including experimental, longitudinal, experience sampling, behavioural studies, daily diary methods, measurement development, and qualitative approaches. In 2023, she was awarded the Ig Nobel Prize for her first-author publications, which highlight research that engages the public by making them laugh while provoking thought about the imagination in science.
Department of Sociology