Why do some leadership styles fail in Latin America, but flourish in the United States? Why does a shared vision matter for groups to be successful, and how can diverse teams be made more effective? Why are some people so effective at achieving their goals, while others persistently struggle? How can subtle behavioral “nudges” in the environment be used to increase well-being, belonging, and teamwork?

These are the kinds of research questions investigated by Dr. Peter Ondish, a Research Scientist at the University of Illinois Center for Social and Behavioral Science. Broadly speaking, his research focuses on how social and situational factors, such as culture and technological interfaces, shape attitudes and behaviors, with an emphasis on statistical evaluation and improvement. His work has been published in outlets such as Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, The Handbook of Cultural Psychology, Social Psychological and Personality Science, and Current Opinion in Psychology.

He has worked with professionals and researchers from over 100 organizations, including Yale, Harvard, New York University, Northwestern, Nordstrom, Boeing, and the Open Society Foundations.

Peter is a passionate instructor who regularly speaks at conferences, workshops, and the occasional performance bar. His teaching has won numerous awards, including the University of Illinois Teachers Ranked as Excellent Distinction (x8) and the Excellence in Teaching by a Graduate Student Capstone Award. His instruction emphasizes the power of social psychology and behavioral economics, as many of its theories can be used in everyday life to better understand the world, make better decisions, and increase well-being.