Natasha R. Wood

Hello! My name is Natasha Wood. I am a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Security and Global Affairs at Leiden University studying radicalization measurement and prevention. I recently completed my PhD in Experimental Psychology at the University of Mississippi where I completed my dissertation studying the involuntary celibate (incel) community.

Substantive research: I research the individual motivations and social contexts that influence the radicalization to violent extremism. More specifically, I examine the impact of thwarted basic psychological needs on extremism, such as after experiencing isolation, loneliness, or ostracism. I also have projects studying ghosting and firearm ownership.

Research expertise: Much of my research uses experimental designs, including online and in-person studies, using a variety of self-report and implicit measures. I also use correlational, qualitative, and observational designs to employ a mixed methods approach to answer my research questions. 

I am passionate about best research practices. This includes supporting open-science, such as preregistration.