I am Ebra Elsharnouby. I’m a developmental psychologist trained in mainly qualitative research, with a longstanding interest in how people grow, connect, and make meaning especially in the face of social and cultural complexity.

Much of my work centers on themes like identity, intimacy, gender, and well-being. I’ve studied how adolescents manage closeness with parents and peers, how couples navigated intimacy during the pandemic, and how pious Muslim women understand their sexual subjectivity. I’m drawn to research that takes people’s inner lives seriously, especially those whose experiences often go unseen.

Alongside research, I’ve taught undergraduate psychology courses, mentored students, and collaborated on projects aimed at making psychological knowledge more accessible.

At the heart of what I do is a deep respect for process. I value thoughtful research design, collaborative environments, and the everyday work that makes meaningful inquiry possible. Whether I’m guiding a student through a thesis or coordinating a multi-part study, I enjoy building systems that support reflection, care, and intellectual clarity.

My Geographical Journey

I was born and raised in Turkey, and as a family, we moved often. My journey eventually led me to Istanbul, where I completed my undergraduate and master’s education. The city offered countless opportunities to grow as a student, a volunteer, a researcher, and a budding project manager. I later moved to the United States to begin my doctoral studies at Clark University in Worcester, MA. It was a leap that expanded both my worldview and my work. Today, I live in Providence, Rhode Island- a city I’ve come to love for its beauty and its generous, grounded community. You can usually find me cycling along Blackstone Boulevard, practicing at RI Taekwondo school, or treating myself to baklava from Aleppo Sweets.

A map showing the cities that I lived in Turkey throughout my life.

A map showing the states and cities that I lived in USA.

<aside> 📌 Fact: Moving into a new place, learning a new language, and adapting to a new culture improve cognitive flexibility, empathy, and a global mindset. It tells a lot about me!

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My Educational Journey

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My Professional Journey

Visiting Faculty

Mercyhurts University, PA

College of the Holy Cross, MA

• Used a variety of learning modalities and support materials to facilitate the learning process.
• Evaluated and revised lesson plans to achieve learning goals.
• Assessed student learning and gave constructive criticism.

Doctoral Researcher

Clark University, MA

• Streamlined research processes to meet tight deadlines and small budgets for multiple projects.
• Designed and executed qualitative and quantitative studies.
• Utilized observation, interview, and survey research methods.
• Utilized multiple analytical software including R, SPSS, NVivo, and Microsoft Excel.
• Managed to conduct studies with small budgets.

Game Designer & Content Creator

MONERA Publishing, Turkey

• Designed a board game for children to promote attention skills and teach basic coding.
• Conducted market research to discover and define the product.
• Collaborated with software engineers, writers, and product designers and developed effective communicative skills.
• Conducted usability tests; observed children's game behavior and interviewed children to learn about their motivation and interest.

Research Assistant

Clark University, MA

• Provided comprehensive research assistance and support when designing and executing experiments on children's learning in the lab environment.
• Created lab protocols and managed the workflow through multiple studies.
• Trained and supervised undergraduate students on lab protocols and data collection.

Project Manager

POEM Education and Consultation Center, Turkey

• Developed and initiated projects, managed costs, and monitored performance.
• Applied for grants to get financial support.
• Worked with various stakeholders including government workers, media companies, schools, and NGOs.