KOSTADIN KUSHLEV
Department of Psychology
2136 West Mall
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada, V6T 1Z4
kostadinpk@psych.ubc.ca
EDUCATION
2011 – 2015
PhD, Psychology (Vanier Scholar), University of British Columbia
Adviser: Dr. Elizabeth Dunn
2009 – 2011
MA, Psychology, University of British Columbia
Adviser: Dr. Elizabeth Dunn
2004 – 2008
BA, Psychology, Reed College
Thesis adviser: Dr. Daniel Reisberg
AWARDS, HONORS, & SCHOLARSHIPS*
2012
Vanier Graduate Scholarship (CAD$150,000), University of British Columbia
2012
CPA Certificate of Academic Excellence for Master’s Thesis, Canadian Psychological Association
2011
International Partial Tuition Scholarship (CAD$3,200), University of British Columbia
2011
Lacey Fellowship in Psychology (CAD$16,000), Psychology Department, University of British Columbia
2011
William C. Gibson Citation, Green College, University of British Columbia
2011
Howard Webster Foundation Fellowship (CAD$4,880), Green College, University of British Columbia
2010
International Partial Tuition Scholarship (CAD$2,109), University of British Columbia
2010
Department of Psychology’s One-Year Fellowship (CAD$16,000), University of British Columbia
2009
International Partial Tuition Scholarship (CAD$3,122), University of British Columbia
2009
Graduate Entrance Scholarship (CAD$17,500), University of British Columbia
2008
Phi Beta Kappa, Reed College
2008
Commended for Excellence in Scholarship, Reed College
2007
Commended for Excellence in Scholarship, Reed College
2006
Professional Development Award, University of Sussex
2005
Commended for Excellence in Scholarship, Reed College
*Note: It is the policy of Reed College not to bestow academic honors (e.g., Summa Cum Laude) to
students
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RESEARCH INTERESTS
Well-being & Happiness
Meaning in life
Cross-cultural psychology
Mindfulness and mental training
PUBLICATIONS
Kushlev, K., Dunn, E. W., & Ashton-James, C. (2012). Does affluence impoverish the experience of
parenting. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 48, 1381–1384.
Nelson, S. K., Kushlev, K., English, T., Dunn, E. W., & Lyubomisrky, S. (in press). In defense of
parenthood: Children are a source of joy, not misery. Psychological Science.
Kushlev, K., & Dunn, E. W. (2012). Affective forecasting: Knowing how we will feel in the future. In S.
Vazire and T. D. Wilson (Eds.), Handbook of self-knowledge (277-292). New York: The Guilford Press.
Ashton-James, C., Kushlev, K. & Dunn, E. W. (manuscript under review). Parents reap what they sow:
Child-centrism and parental well-being. Social Psychology and Personality Science.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Kushlev, K., Dunn, E., & Ashton-James, C (2012). The effect of wealth on meaning in life. Poster
presented at the Annual Conference of the International Network for Personal Meaning, Toronto,
ON.
Kushlev, K., Dunn, E., & Ashton-James, C (2012). Does affluence impoverish the experience of
parenting. Poster presented at the Emotion Preconference at the Society for Personality and Social
Psychology Conference, San Diego, CA.
Kushlev, K., Dunn, E. W., Ashton-James, C., & Trudeau, R. (2010). Can parenting make people
happy…or at least give them meaning? Poster presented at the Judgment and Decision Making
Preconference at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology Conference, Las Vegas, NV.
Kushlev, K., Reisberg, D. (April 2009). The effect of mindfulness on the emotional experience of
choosing. Poster presented at the 2009 Western Psychological Association Convention, Portland,
OR.
Kushlev, K., Federow, M., Cook, A., Grant, A., Moffitt, U., & Oleson, K. C. (April 2009). Observers’
impressions of subjective overachievers and self-handicappers. Poster presented at the 2009
Western Psychological Association Convention, Portland, OR.
PRESENTATIONS AT WORKSHOPS & COLLOQUIA
11/2011
The downside of wealth: Correlational and experimental evidence that wealth compromises
parents’ sense of meaning. Presented at the social/personality psychology workshop at University
of British Columbia.
04/2011
The joys of parenting? Presented to the Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia.
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09/2010
The money-meaning tradeoff: SES decreases parents’ sense of meaning. Presented to the social
and personality psychology group at University of British Columbia.
04/2010
Parenting and the meaning of happiness. Presented to the social and personality psychology group
at University of British Columbia.
03/2009
The more you want the less you get: The effect of maximizing, number of choices and
mindfulness on the purchasing experience of Americans and Bulgarians. Presented to Positive
Psychology Group at Virginia Commonwealth University.
08/2007
siRNA reduces the expression of 14-3-3 in vivo in mouse cerebellum. Presented to researchers
at Oregon Health and Science University.
PUBLIC TALKS
11/2011
The psychological cost of wealth: How wealth undermines the joys of parenthood
Presented at Member Speakers Series at Green College, University of British Columbia
03/2010
The pursuit of happiness
Presented at Member Speakers Series at Green College, University of British Columbia
SELECTED RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
07/2009 – 08/2011
M.A. Thesis: Exploring parental well-being: Is childcare associated with parental wellbeing and what factors can enhance it
 Supervisor: Dr. Elizabeth Dunn, University of British Columbia
09/2008 – 04/2009
Research Internship: Mindfulness and Ego Depletion
 Supervisor: Dr. Kirk Brown, Virginia Commonwealth University
09/2007 – 05/2008
B.A. Thesis: The more you want, the less you get: The effect of maximizing, number of
choices and mindfulness on purchasing decisions in Americans and Bulgarians
 Supervisor: Dr. Daniel Reisberg, Reed College
10/2007 – 12/2007
Research Project: Observers’ impressions of subjective overachievers and selfhandicappers
 Supervisor: Dr. Kathryn Oleson, Reed College
06/2007 – 08/2007
Summer Internship in Neuroscience
 Supervisor: Dr. Neal Barmack, Oregon Health and Science University
10/2006 – 12/2006
Research Project: Explaining away stereotypes: The role of cognitive processing and
assumption-challenging explanations in stereotype change
 Supervisor: Dr. Kathryn Oleson, Reed College
01/2006 – 06/2006
Research Assistantship: Mislocalization of the final position of a moving object: The effect
of weak ‘disappearance signals’ on the perceived overshoot of the object
 Supervisor: Dr. Romi Nijhawan, University of Sussex
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TEACHING AND MENTORSHIP EXPERIENCE
Positions
09/2012 – 04/2013
Honours Advisor
 Advised an undergraduate student throughout her honours project
09/2012 – 04/2013
Discussion Leader, Mentroship Certification Program for Graduate Students
 Program developed by: Dr. Catherine Rawn, University of British Columbia
 Guided fellow graduate students through the development of their mentorship
philosophies
 Helped graduate students exchnage ideas and become better mentors
09/2012 – 12/2012
Teaching Fellow, Research Methods
 Course taught by: Dr. Catherine Rawn, University of British Columbia
 Taught and mentored 8 groups of students to develop and implement a research project
 Helped students generate hypotheses and develop the appropriate methods
 Guided students through data collection and taught them how to present the data in an
APA-style research report
01/2012 – 04/2012
Teaching Fellow, Introduction to Statistics
 Course taught by: Dr. Linda Scratchley, University of British Columbia
 Held tutorials during lectures, held small-group tutorials, prepared and graded
assignments, and held regular office hours
10/2011 – 03/2012
Mentor, Tri-Mentoring Program, University of British Columbia
 Mentored two university students on career options, resume building, and academic
success
05/2010 – 12/2011
Teaching Assistant, Introduction to Psychology
 Course taught by: Dr. Kevin Hamilton, University of British Columbia
 Gave several lectures, prepared a study guide, held regular office hours, graded exams
11/2010 – 04/2011
Private Tutor in Research Methods and Statistics
 Tutored a student through a full year of research methods and statistics classes
01/2010 – 04/2010
Teaching Assistant, Social Psychology
 Course taught by: Dr. Ara Norenzayan, University of British Columbia
 Gave a guest lecture, held regular office hours, and graded exams
09/2009 – 12/2009
Teaching Assistant, Cultural Psychology
 Course taught by: Dr. Steven Heine, University of British Columbia
 Held regular office hours and graded exams and essays
09/2009 – present
Research Supervisor
 Supervise several teams of research assistants
 Organize regular training sessions in research skills
09/2006 – 04/2007
Teacher Assistant, Biology Outreach, Reed College
 Taught science to 5th graders in disadvantaged school districts
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Guest Lectures
11/2012
Parenting and well-being. Lecture presented in William Dunlop’s Developmental Pscyhology,
University of British Columbia
05/2011
Brain and behaviour. Lecture presented in Dr. Kevin Hamilton’s Introduction to Psychology,
University of British Columbia
03/2011
The elusive happiness: How can we become happier. Lecture presented in Dr. Kevin Hamilton’s
Introduction to Psychology, University of British Columbia
02/2010
Social psychology and well-being. Lecture presented in Dr. Ara Norenzayan’s Social Psychology
class, University of British Columbia
Independently Organized Workshops
11/2012
How to be a good writer. Talk given to research assistants.
05/2012
Preparing for graduate school. Talk given to research assistants.
02/2012
How to generate creative research ideas. Training organized for research assistants.
02/2012
Using SPSS to test hypotheses. Training organized for research assistants.
10/2011
Preparing for graduate school. Talk given to research assistants.
10/2010
The research process: From coming up with an idea to publishing. Talk given to research assistants.
QUANTITATIVE AND METHODOLIGICAL EXPERIENCE
Courses
Spring 2012
Advanced Methods in Social Psychology and Personality. Instructor: Dr. Mark Schaller, Grade: A+
Spring 2010
Applied Multiple Regression. Instructor: Dr. Jeremy Biesanz, Grade: A
Fall 2009
Advanced Statistics. Instructor: Dr. Ralph Hakstian, Grade: A+
Quantitative Skills Developed Through Research Experience
Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)
Multilevel Linear Modeling (MLM)
Factor Analysis
Bootstrapping for Indirect Effects
Linear Regression Analyses
Analysis of Variance
CONSULTING
11/2011 – 05/2012
Private Consultant on Well-Being Research, Vancouver, BC
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POSITIONS ON ACADEMIC COMMITTEES
04/2012 – present
Organizer, Social & Personality Reviewer Group,
Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia
10/2011 – 08/2012
Member, Academic Committee, Green College, University of British Columbia
08/2011 – 09/2011
Reviewer, Student Poster Awards, Society for Personality and Social Psychology
04/2011 – 08/2011
Organizer, Summer Social and Personality Psychology Workshops,
Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia
10/2010 – 08/2011
Member, Membership Committee, Green College, University of British Columbia
 Evaluated membership applications, by examining candidates’ academic credentials,
personal statements, letters of recommendation, and transcripts
09/2010 – 04/2011
Co-organizer, Social and Personality Psychology Workshop, Department of Psychology,
University of British Columbia
LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
09/2012 – present
President, Graduate Student Committee, Department of Psychology, University of British
Columbia
 Coordinate departmental community-building events
04/2012 – present
Volunteer Admissions Interviewer, Admissions Office, Reed College
10/2011 – present
Vice-President (elected),, Green College Dining Society
 Co-presided over the affairs of society with over a $500,000 yearly turnover
03/2011 – 08/2012
Organizer, Meditation and Yoga Community Group, Green College
 Created and organized a community group for meditation and yoga
10/2010 – 10/2011
President (elected), Green College Dining Society
 Presided over the affairs of society with over a $500,000 yearly turnover
12/2009 – 10/2011
Council Member, Resident Council, Green College, University of British Columbia
 Contributed to the central residential council in a residential college
09/2009 – 10/2010
Chair, Social Committee, Green College, University of British Columbia
 Organized and coordinated more than 15 social activities and events in a graduate
residential community
02/2008 – 05/2008
Personal Mentor, Morrison Kids, Portland, OR
 Mentored a teenager with behavioral problems
08/2007 – 05/2008
House Advisor, Residence Life, Reed College, Portland, OR
 Advised and coordinated events for a community of 15 students
10/2005 – 06/2006
Publicity Manager, Project V, University of Sussex
 Coordinated the publicity of the university volunteer organization
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10/2005 – 03/2006
Mental Health Helpline Volunteer, Rethink, Brighton, England
 Provide mental health support for distressed individuals
NON-ACADEMIC WORK EXPERIENCE
09/2008 – 02/2009
Personal Mentor and Tutor of an Autistic Child, Richmond, VA
06/2008 – 08/2008
Autism Teacher Assistant, Autistic Children Activity Program, Portland, OR
09/2004 – 05/2008
Resume Critique Assistant, Career Services, Reed College, Portland, OR
02/2005 – 05/2005,
09/2006 – 11/2006
Fund-Raiser, Alumni Relations, Reed College, Portland, OR
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS MEMBERSHIPS
2011 – present
2011 – present
2009 – present
2008 – 2009
Association for Psychological Science
Society for the Teaching of Psychology
Society for Personality and Social Psychology
Western Psychological Association
CERTIFICATES
04/2010
Certificate for successful completion of the Graduate Mentorship Program, Department of
Psychology, University of British Columbia
09/2009
Certificate for successful completion of the Instructional Skills Workshop, Teaching and
Academic Growth, University of British Columbia
02/2006
Certificate for successful completion of a training program in Presentation Skills,
University of Sussex
02/2006
Certificate for successful completion of a training program in Project Management,
University of Sussex
06/2006
Certificate of Achievement for the completion of 100 hours of volunteer work, Brighton and
Hove Millennium Volunteers
10/2005
Certificate for successful completion of a training program covering Verbal Communication,
Committee Skills, Active Listening, Decision Making and Effective Feedback, University of
Sussex
MEDIA MENTIONS
Articles Covering My Research
The BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01jxrdk#p00v0z4r
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The Economist Magazine: http://www.economist.com/node/21555543
Time Magazine: http://healthland.time.com/2012/06/14/parents-especially-dads-are-happier-than-theirchildless-pals-happy-fathers-day/
MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47464496#.T7V0J47nzxq
Psychological Science, Press Release:
http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/news/releases/parents-are-happier-people.html
Live Science: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47464496#.T7V0J47nzxq
The Atlantic: http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/05/study-of-the-day-maybe-parents-actuallyare-happier-than-non-parents/257375/
The Globe & Mail: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-hot-button/more-evidence-shows-parents-arehappier-than-non-parents/article2436867/
The Globe & Mail: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/parenting/do-kids-make-us-happy-yes-we-
think/article5355707/
Vancouver Sun:
http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Parents+happier+than+childless+couples+study/6643622/story.html
Toronto Sun: http://www.torontosun.com/2012/05/17/parents-happier-than-non-parents-study
CTV:http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20120518/bc_parents_study_120518/20120518/?hu
b=BritishColumbiaHome
Psychcentral.com: http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/05/18/children-tend-to-bring-more-joy-thanmisery/38856.html
Science Daily: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120517115446.htm
Times of India: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-19/parenting/32316141_1_stay-athome-dads-happiness-brad-harrington
University of British Columbia, Press Release: http://www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/2012/05/17/parents-arehappier-than-non-parents-new-research-suggests/
British Psychological Society: http://www.bps.org.uk/news/being-parent-makes-people-happier
Radio Interviews
CKNW, Vancouver
LANGUAGES
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Fluency in Bulgarian and English
Conversational Greek
Basic German & Spanish
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