Rachel Hussey (she/her) is a PhD student in the Human Development, Learning and Culture program at the University of British Columbia, supervised by Dr. Johanna Sam. Her research bridges developmental psychology and digital mental health, exploring how ecological resilience factors influence wellbeing in young adulthood. Rachel takes an implementation science approach to examine how research can inform real-world educational practices and policies that promote mental wellness in today’s hyperconnected world.
Rachel’s academic and professional journey has been guided by a deep passion for human development and community engagement. After completing her undergraduate degree in psychology at UBC Okanagan she went on to pursue a Master’s in Developmental Psychology at UBC Vancouver, where her work focused on resilience and internalizing mental health symptoms in relation to technology use. Alongside her studies, she has held roles as a Career Advisor, Research Assistant, and Sessional Instructor in the Faculty of Education, experiences that strengthened her interest in translating research into meaningful practice.
Rachel is committed to creating inclusive and collaborative spaces where research, education, and community intersect. Her work aims to connect psychological theory to everyday experiences in hopes to help community co-create systems that foster resilience, belonging, and wellbeing across diverse environments.