Jocelyn Bélanger receives Early Career Award from the Society for the Science of Motivation

Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar’s Jocelyn Bélanger has been recognized for his significant contributions to the field of motivation science. Bélanger received the Early Career Award from the Society for the Science of Motivation (SSM) at the organization’s annual conference in May.

The science of motivation explores how various psychological factors can influence people’s drive to achieve their goals. Bélanger has published more than 100 articles in the areas of extremism, motivated reasoning, and environmental psychology. 

Bélanger joined the CMU-Q faculty in August 2023 as an associate teaching professor of psychology: “Motivation science touches on the whole gamut of human behavior, and interventions to change that behavior,” he said. “The behaviors may be different, but the study of motivation finds that there are common denominators, and often the root causes are very similar.”

The Society for the Science of Motivation is a prestigious organization that brings together leading experts in social psychology and motivation. Each year the society confers the Early Career Award to a scientist who has made an outstanding empirical or theoretical contribution to motivation science. 

“I am very touched to receive this recognition from SSM,” he said. “This organization includes the top researchers of motivation science, and it is an honor to be recognized by them for my work to advance the field.”

At CMU-Q, students can take elective courses in psychology, and many opt to complete a minor in the field. CMU-Q offers undergraduate degree programs in biological sciences, business administration, computer science and information systems.