Melissa J Dolese, Ph.D.
Melissa J Dolese, Ph.D. (she/her)
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Arts and Sciences — Social Sciences
Education
Doctorate in Psychology: Cognition, Brain, and Behavior from the City University of New York's Graduate Center
Advanced Training Certificate in Ecopsychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute’s Retreat Center
Forest Therapy Guide certification through the Forest Therapy School
200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training through the Flying Lotus Yoga Studio
Research Interests
My research explores the psychology of art and aesthetics, focusing on meaning-making, communication in the visual arts, and the nature of aesthetic experience and emotions—particularly feelings of connection and alienation. I am also deeply interested in mindfulness and the cultivation of compassion.
Recently, I have begun investigating how aesthetic experiences influence prosocial behavior. Emerging evidence suggests that engaging with art can inspire compassionate actions toward strangers. In my work curating and designing Earth Day events, I strive to create immersive, aesthetic experiences that foster a sense of connection and encourage pro-environmental behavior. This prosociality extends beyond human interactions, encompassing a broader relationship with the more-than-human world.
Professional Affiliations
International Association for Empirical Aesthetics (IAEA)
Courses Taught
- Introduction to Psychology
- Ecopsychology
- Environmental Psychology
- Evolutionary Psychology
- Biological Psychology
- Sensory Psychology
- Psychology of Art and Aesthetics
- Transpersonal Psychology
- Research Methods in the Social Sciences
Melissa J Dolese, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Arts and Sciences — Social Sciences
- Email address: [email protected]
- Phone number: 907-796-6419
- Building location: Whitehead Bldg 215, Juneau Campus
- External resource TEDx talk: The Beauty of Interconnection