My research addresses pressing global challenges – from the proliferation of misinformation to environmental challenges and deepening societal polarization – through a holistic, social, and behavioral lens. I am currently establishing an international research team to investigate the complex interplay of social and cognitive factors that contribute to these interconnected crises. Employing rigorous modeling and methodologies, my work draws upon behavioral public policy and emerging concepts in social justice and conflict resolution (e.g., procedural justice, zero-sum thinking, amplification of risk, egocentric bias).
I`m also a researcher in the field of environmental and social psychology for almost a decade contributing into collaborative projects. Thus, my work aims to provide a deeper understanding of human behavior in high-stakes global issues and social/environmental dilemmas, informing more effective governance and crisis management strategies.
My background as a psychologist with Master’s and PhD degrees awarded in the programs of (1) Global Governance & Sustainable Development (G2SD) and (2) the International Joint Graduate Program in Resilience and Safety Studies (GP-RSS) at Tohoku University has provided me with a strong foundation for interdisciplinary research, as well as extensive interdisciplinary collaboration with universities and institutions across the US, UK, Brazil, Japan, Portugal, and Taiwan, as well as governmental and security institutes. Because of that, I`m always open for international and interdisciplinary collaborations!
2022-2025 PhD Student, Graduate Program in Global Governance and Sustainable Development (G2SD), Graduate School of International Cultural Studies, Tohoku University.
2020-2022 Master Student, Graduate Program in Global Governance and Sustainable Development (G2SD), Graduate School of International Cultural Studies, Tohoku University.
2020-2025 Graduate Member (Masters and PhD), International Joint Graduate Program in Resilience and Safety Studies (GP-RSS), Tohoku University.
2020-2022 Research Assistant, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).
2019-2020 Research Student, Department of International Environment and Resources Policy, Graduate School of International Cultural Studies, Tohoku University.
2014-2018 Undergraduate bachelor’s and professional degrees in Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Brasilia.
Main Articles in Peer Reviewed Journals
1. Matsunaga, L.H., Aoki, T., Poortinga, W., Hayashi, Y. (2025). The Self-Serving Veil of Justice: Egocentric Bias Fosters Zero-sum Thinking Despite Fair Settings. Social Justice Research. (Accepted for Publication).
2. Matsunaga, L. H., Petersen, J., Aoki, T., & Faiad, C. (2025). The science of zero-sum thinking: a scoping review of 10 years of empirical research. Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict, 1-21.
3. Matsunaga, L. H., Aoki, T., Faiad, C., Aldrich, D. P., Tseng, P.-H., & Aida, J. (2023). Why People Stayed Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Health Communication Across Four Countries. Journal of Health Communication, 1, 1-13.
4. Matsunaga, L. H., Aoki, T., Faiad, C., Aldrich, D. P., Tseng, P.-H., & Aida, J. (2023). The Psychological Determinants of Avoiding Crowded Areas: An International and Political Investigation. Journal of Social and Political Psychology, v. 11, n. 2, p. 458-477, 2023.
5. Matsunaga, L. H., Aoki, T., Faiad, C., Aldrich, D. P., Tseng, P.-H., & Aida, J. (2024). The Role of Social Capital in Depression during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of International Perspectives in Psychology: Research, Practice, Consultation.
6. Matsunaga, L. H., Petersen, J. (2024) How Are We Teaching Environmental Psychology in the Era of Global Crises? A Debate with Environmental Education. Journal of International Cultural Studies, Tohoku University.
7. Naddeo, R., & Matsunaga, L. H. (2022). Public Diplomacy and Social Capital Bridging: Theory and Activities. Journal of Public Diplomacy, 2, 116-135.
1. President’s Award (2025)- Tohoku University
2. Awarded Clinical Membership (2025)- International Mental Health Professional Association of Japan (IMHPJ).
3. Awarded Research Scholarship by the indication of the Japanese Embassy in Brazil (2019-2025)- 文部科学省奨学金 MEXT.
4. Awarded Undergraduate Research Scholarship by The National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) of Brazil (2015-2018).
5. Honorable Mention- the Outstanding Scientific Initiation Award of the University of Brasilia (2016 and 2018)
