Dr Wei Luo

I am a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Body, Mind and Behaviour Laboratory, where I work with Professor Simone Schnall on research examining generational differences in psychological wellbeing and personal values. This work is part of the ESRC-funded interdisciplinary research centre, the Productivity Institute . In particular, I focus on the youth mental health crisis, examining Gen Z’s declining wellbeing specifically at the workplace and how their value priorities differ from those of earlier generations. 

I also have a strong interest in emotion and morality. I have co-authored papers led by Professor Schnall on the effects of behavioural synchrony on positive emotions, as well as on life-course changes in moral values, moral foundations, and moral judgement. Methodologically, I come from a background in experimental psychology and currently focus on secondary analyses of large-scale longitudinal and cross-national datasets. 

I completed my PhD in Experimental Psychology at University College London in 2025. My doctoral research examined socio-hierarchical processes such as the interplay between social status, power motivation, and competitive behaviours. My prior research also explored contemporary phenomena including the formation of political echo chambers, conspiracy beliefs, and social media behaviour.