Psychology

Prof Michelle Ryan

Prof Michelle Ryan

Honorary Professor of Social and Organisational Psychology

 m.ryan@exeter.ac.uk

 

Overview

Michelle Ryan is a Professor of Social and Organisational Psychology. She is involved in a number of research projects. She currently holds a European Research Council Consolidator Grant examining the way in which context and identity shape and constrain women's career choices (with Thekla Morgenroth, Chris Begeney, and Renata Bongiorno) . With Alex Haslam, she has uncovered the phenomenon of the glass cliff, whereby women (and members of other minority groups) are more likely to be placed in leadership positions which are risky or precarious. Research into the glass cliff was short listed for the Times Higher Education Supplement Research Project of the Year in 2005 and was named by the New York Times as one of the ideas that shaped 2008. Click here for a brief video introduction to the glass cliff.

Michelle is also involved in projects examining (a) gender trouble and the gender binary (with Thekla Morgenroth); (b) women's ambition in the workplace (with Kim Peters and Alex Haslam); (c) the role of identity in understanding work-life balance (with Kim Peters, Thekla Morgenroth, Floor Rink and Janka Stoker); (d) men's support for gender equality (with Antonia Sudkaemper, Teri Kirby, and Thekla Morgenroth); (e) gender differences in risk taking (with Thekla Morgenroth and Cordelia Fine); (f) leadership succession (with Nik Steffens, Floor Rink, and Janka Stoker); (g) workplace intersectionality (with Victoria Opara and Ruth Sealy); (h) the gendered nature of ambition (with Sabrina Spangsdorf and Teri Kirby); (i) workplace gender stereotypes (with Renata Bongiorno and Colin Leach); and (j) gendered status in the workplace (with Chris Begeny).

Keywords: gender inequality, gender discrimination, gender differences, glass cliff, workplace inequality

Research group links

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Research

Research interests

Michelle is involved in a number of research projects. 

With Alex Haslam, she has uncovered the phenomenon of the glass cliff, whereby women (and members of other minority groups) are more likely to be placed in leadership positions which are risky or precarious. Research into the glass cliff was short listed for the Times Higher Education Supplement Research Project of the Year in 2005 and was named by the New York Timesas one of the ideas that shaped 2008.

Michelle is also involved in projects examining

(a) the effectiveness of role models (with Thekla Morgenroth and Kim Peters)

(b) women's ambition in the workplace (with Kim Peters and Alex Haslam);

(c) the gender wage gap (with Clara Kulich);

(d) social identity and sexuality (with Chris Robus);

(e) the impact of metaphors (with Susanne Bruckmueller),

(f) leadership succession (with Nik Steffens, Floor Rink, and Janka Stoker,

(g) the social identity of unemployment (with Pamela Bretschneider & Thomas Kessler),

(h) identity complexity (with Thomas Morton and Anders Sunderlund),

and (i) identity and disabiltiy (with Stuart Read and Thomas Morton).

(i) a social identity analysis of coping with unemployment.

Research projects

The glass cliff project

Research networks

Member
Centre for Identity and the Psychology of Self in Society (University of Exeter, UK)
European Association of Experimental Social Psychology
Society of Australasian Social Psychologists
Society for the Psychology Study of Social Issues
American Psychological Association
Academy of Management
Society for Personality and Social Psychology
International Society for Self and Identity
Society for the Psychology of Women
International Association of Applied Psychology
Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology

Affiliate
Centre for Research on Group Processes, University of Queensland, Australia
Centre for Research on Self and Identity, University of Southampton, UK
HRM/OB Expertise Centre, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
Centre for Diversity and Equality in Careers and Employment Research, University of East Anglia, UK

Research grants

  • 2013 British Academy/Leverhulme
    British Academy Mid-Career Fellowship
  • 2012 Economic and Social Research Council
    ESRC Knowledge Exchange Grant

Links


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Publications

Books

Ryan MK, Haslam SA (In Press). The Glass Cliff: Social psychology and the dynamics of women and leadership., Palgrave Macmillan.
Ryan MK, Branscombe NR (2012). The Sage Handbook of Gender and Psychology., Sage.
Barreto M, Ryan MK, Schmitt M (2009). The Glass Ceiling in the 21st Century: Understanding Barriers to Gender Equality. , APA.
Ryan MK, Haslam, S.A. Wilson-Kovacs, M.D. Hersby, M.D. (2007). The Glass Cliff: Precariousness beyond the Glass Ceiling. A CIPD Executive Briefing.  London, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Journal articles

Sudkaemper A, Ryan M, Kirby T, Morgenroth T (In Press). A Comprehensive Measure of Attitudes and Behaviour: Development of the Support for Gender Equality among Men Scale. European Journal of Social Psychology
Morgenroth T, Gustafsson Sendén M, Lindqvist A, Renström E, Ryan M, Morton T (In Press). Defending the Sex/Gender Binary: the Role of Gender Identification and Need for Closure. Social Psychological and Personality Science
Morgenroth T, Ryan M (In Press). Gender Trouble and Social Psychology: How can Butler’s work inform experimental social psychologists’ conceptualization of gender?. Frontiers in Psychology Abstract.
Bosson J, Vandello J, Paweł J, Kosakowska-Berezecka N, Olech M, Besta T, Best D, Bongiorno R, Kirby T, Ryan M, et al (In Press). Psychometric properties and correlates of precarious manhood beliefs in 62 nations. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology
Morgenroth T, Kirby T, Ryan M, Sudkaemper A (In Press). The. who, when, and why of the glass cliff phenomenon: a meta-analysis of appointments to precarious leadership positions. Psychological Bulletin
Pireddu S, Bongiorno R, Ryan MK, Rubini M, Menegatti M (In Press). The deficit bias: Candidate gender differences in the relative importance of facial stereotypic qualities for leadership hiring. British Journal of Social Psychology, 1-1.
Morgenroth T, Ryan M, Sønderlund A (In Press). Think Manager – Think Parent? Investigating the fatherhood advantage and the motherhood penalty using the Think Manager – Think Male paradigm. Journal of Applied Social Psychology
Aarntzen L, Derks B, Van steenbergen E, Ryan MK, van der Lippe T (In Press). Work-Family Guilt as a Straightjacket an Interview and Diary Study on Consequences of Mothers’ Work-Family Guilt. Journal of Vocational Behavior
Takizawa R, Iacoviello V, Ryan MK, Kulich C (2024). Gender stereotypes may not influence the choice of female leaders: Experimental evidence from a crisis framed as social or economic during the COVID-19 pandemic. European Journal of Social Psychology, 54(2), 558-576. Abstract.
Fisher AN, Ryan MK, Liao YH, Mikołajczak G, Riedijk L, Leander NP, Abakoumkin G, Abdul Khaiyom JH, Ahmedi V, Agostini M, et al (2024). The Precarity of Progress: Implications of a Shifting Gendered Division of Labor for Relationships and Well-Being as a Function of Country-Level Gender Equality. Sex Roles, 90(5), 642-658. Abstract.
Begeny CT, Huo YJ, Ryan MK (2023). A Leadership Looking Glass: How Reflected Appraisals of Leadership Shape Individuals’ Own Perceived Prototypicality and Group Identification. Self and Identity Abstract.
Enea V, Eisenbeck N, Carreno DF, Douglas KM, Sutton RM, Agostini M, Bélanger JJ, Gützkow B, Kreienkamp J, Abakoumkin G, et al (2023). Intentions to be Vaccinated Against COVID-19: the Role of Prosociality and Conspiracy Beliefs across 20 Countries. Health Commun, 38(8), 1530-1539. Abstract.  Author URL.
Fernández DP, Ryan MK, Begeny CT (2023). Recognizing the diversity in how students define belonging: evidence of differing conceptualizations, including as a function of students’ gender and socioeconomic background. Social Psychology of Education, 26(3), 673-708. Abstract.
Opara V, Spangsdorf S, Ryan MK (2023). Reflecting on the use of Google Docs for online interviews: Innovation in qualitative data collection. Qualitative Research, 23(3), 561-578. Abstract.
Keng S-L, Stanton MV, Haskins LB, Almenara CA, Ickovics J, Jones A, Grigsby-Toussaint D, Agostini M, Bélanger JJ, Gützkow B, et al (2022). COVID-19 stressors and health behaviors: a multilevel longitudinal study across 86 countries. Prev Med Rep, 27 Abstract.  Author URL.
Mula S, Di Santo D, Resta E, Bakhtiari F, Baldner C, Molinario E, Pierro A, Gelfand MJ, Denison E, Agostini M, et al (2022). Concern with COVID-19 pandemic threat and attitudes towards immigrants: the mediating effect of the desire for tightness. Curr Res Ecol Soc Psychol, 3 Abstract.  Author URL.
Stroebe W, vanDellen MR, Abakoumkin G, Lemay EP, Schiavone WM, Agostini M, Bélanger JJ, Gützkow B, Kreienkamp J, Reitsema AM, et al (2022). Correction: Politicization of COVID-19 health-protective behaviors in the United States: Longitudinal and cross-national evidence. PLoS One, 17(1). Abstract.  Author URL.
Wong CYE, Kirby TA, Rink F, Ryan MK (2022). Intersectional Invisibility in Women's Diversity Interventions. FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY, 13  Author URL.
van Breen JA, Kutlaca M, Koç Y, Jeronimus BF, Reitsema AM, Jovanović V, Agostini M, Bélanger JJ, Gützkow B, Kreienkamp J, et al (2022). Lockdown Lives: a Longitudinal Study of Inter-Relationships Among Feelings of Loneliness, Social Contacts, and Solidarity During the COVID-19 Lockdown in Early 2020. Pers Soc Psychol Bull, 48(9), 1315-1330. Abstract.  Author URL.
Begeny CT, Grossman RC, Ryan MK (2022). Overestimating women’s representation in medicine: a survey of medical professionals’ estimates and their(un)willingness to support gender equality initiatives. BMJ Open, 12(3), e054769-e054769. Abstract.
Schumpe BM, Van Lissa CJ, Bélanger JJ, Ruggeri K, Mierau J, Nisa CF, Molinario E, Gelfand MJ, Stroebe W, Agostini M, et al (2022). Predictors of adherence to public health behaviors for fighting COVID-19 derived from longitudinal data. Sci Rep, 12(1). Abstract.  Author URL.
Morgenroth T, Ryan MK, Fine C (2022). The Gendered Consequences of Risk-Taking at Work: Are Women Averse to Risk or to Poor Consequences?. PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN QUARTERLY, 46(3), 257-277.  Author URL.
Ryan M (2022). To advance equality for women, use the evidence. Nature, 604(7906). Abstract.
Van Lissa CJ, Stroebe W, vanDellen MR, Leander NP, Agostini M, Draws T, Grygoryshyn A, Gützgow B, Kreienkamp J, Vetter CS, et al (2022). Using machine learning to identify important predictors of COVID-19 infection prevention behaviors during the early phase of the pandemic. Patterns (N Y), 3(4). Abstract.  Author URL.
Western KAB, Cruwys T, Ryan MK (2022). What Does it Mean to be a Woman? How the Content of Gender Identity May Facilitate Women's Coping with Sexual Harassment. J Interpers Violence, 37(23-24), NP22921-NP22943. Abstract.  Author URL.
Resta E, Mula S, Baldner C, Di Santo D, Agostini M, Bélanger JJ, Gützkow B, Kreienkamp J, Abakoumkin G, Khaiyom JHA, et al (2022). ‘We are all in the same boat’: How societal discontent affects intention to help during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, 32(2), 332-347. Abstract.
Han Q, Zheng B, Agostini M, Bélanger JJ, Gützkow B, Kreienkamp J, Reitsema AM, van Breen JA, Leander NP, Abakoumkin G, et al (2021). Associations of risk perception of COVID-19 with emotion and mental health during the pandemic. Journal of Affective Disorders, 284, 247-255. Abstract.
Skewes L, Skewes JC, Ryan MK (2021). Attitudes to Sexism and the #MeToo Movement at a Danish University. NORA - Nordic Journal of Feminist and Gender Research, 29(2), 124-139. Abstract.
Begeny CT, Huo YJ, Smith HJ, Ryan MK (2021). Being treated fairly in groups is important, but not sufficient: the role of distinctive treatment in groups, and its implications for mental health. PLoS One, 1-28. Abstract.
Romano A, Spadaro G, Balliet D, Joireman J, Lissa CV, Jin S, Agostini M, Bélanger JJ, Gützkow B, Kreienkamp J, et al (2021). Cooperation and Trust Across Societies During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 52(7), 622-642. Abstract.
Fisher A, Ryan M (2021). Gender Inequalities During COVID-19. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 24, 1-19.
Meeussen L, Begeny C, Peters K, Ryan M (2021). In traditionally male-dominated fields, women are less willing to make sacrifices for their career because discrimination and lower fit with people up the ladder make sacrifices less worthwhile. Journal of Applied Social Psychology
Jin S, Balliet D, Romano A, Spadaro G, van Lissa CJ, Agostini M, Bélanger JJ, Gützkow B, Kreienkamp J, Leander NP, et al (2021). Intergenerational conflicts of interest and prosocial behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. Personality and Individual Differences, 171 Abstract.
Nisa CF, Bélanger JJ, Faller DG, Buttrick NR, Mierau JO, Austin MMK, Schumpe BM, Sasin EM, Agostini M, Gützkow B, et al (2021). Lives versus Livelihoods? Perceived economic risk has a stronger association with support for COVID-19 preventive measures than perceived health risk. Sci Rep, 11(1). Abstract.  Author URL.
Stroebe W, vanDellen MR, Abakoumkin G, Lemay EP, Schiavone WM, Agostini M, Bélanger JJ, Gützkow B, Kreienkamp J, Reitsema AM, et al (2021). Politicization of COVID-19 health-protective behaviors in the United States: Longitudinal and cross-national evidence. PLoS One, 16(10). Abstract.  Author URL.
Gartzia L, Morgenroth T, Ryan MK, Peters K (2021). Testing the motivational effects of attainable role models: Field and experimental evidence. Journal of Theoretical Social Psychology, 5(4), 591-602. Abstract.
Feenstra S, Begeny CT, Ryan MK, Rink FA, Stoker JI, Jordan J (2020). Contextualizing the Impostor “Syndrome”. Frontiers in Psychology, 11
Begeny CT, Ryan MK, Moss-Racusin CA, Ravetz G (2020). In Some Professions Women Have Become Well-Represented, Yet Gender Bias Persists – Perpetuated by Those Who Think it is Not Happening. Science Advances, 6 Abstract.
Morgenroth T, Ryan M, Rink F, Begeny C (2020). The (in)compatibility of identities: Understanding gender differences in work-life conflict through the fit with leaders. British Journal of Social Psychology
Morgenroth T, Ryan M (2020). The effects of gender trouble: an integrative theoretical framework of the perpetuation and disruption of the gender/sex binary. Perspectives on Psychological Science
Opara V, Sealy R, Ryan MK (2020). The workplace experiences of BAME professional women: Understanding experiences at the intersection. Gender, Work & Organization, 27(6), 1192-1213. Abstract.
Ryan M, Begeny C, Bongiorno R, Kirby T, Morgenroth T (2020). Understanding Barriers to Workplace Equality: a Focus on the Target’s Perspective. Frontiers in Psychology
Rink F, Stoker JI, Ryan MK, Steffens NK, Pieterse AN (2019). Gender Differences in How Leaders Determine Succession Potential: the Role of Interpersonal Fit with Followers. FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY, 10  Author URL.
Bongiorno R, Langbroek C, Bain PG, Ting M, Ryan MK (2019). Why women are blamed for being sexually harassed: the effects of empathy for female victims and male perpetrators. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 44(1), 11-27. Abstract.
Morgenroth T, Ryan M (2018). Addressing gender inequality: Stumbling blocks and roads ahead. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 21, 671-677. Abstract.
Steffens NK, Fonseca MA, Ryan MK, Rink FA, Stoker JI, Nederveen Pieterse A (2018). How feedback about leadership potential impacts ambition, organizational commitment, and performance. Leadership Quarterly, 29(6), 637-647. Abstract.
Ryan MK, Kirby TA (2018). Lean in - but how?. Psychologist, 31(5), 24-25.
Morgenroth T, Ryan M (2018). Quotas and affirmative action: Understanding group-based outcomes and attitudes. Social and Personality Psychology Compass
Subašić E, Hardacre S, Elton B, Branscombe NR, Ryan MK, Reynolds KJ (2018). “We for She”: Mobilising men and women to act in solidarity for gender equality. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 21(5), 707-724. Abstract.
Steffens NK, Haslam SA, Ryan MK, Millard K (2017). Genius begins at home: Shared social identity enhances the recognition of creative performance. British Journal of Psychology
Sønderlund AL, Morton TA, Ryan MK (2017). Multiple Group Membership and Well-Being: is There Always Strength in Numbers?. Front Psychol, 8 Abstract.  Author URL.
Ryan MK (2017). My shelfie. Michelle K. Ryan. PSYCHOLOGIST, 30, 82-82.  Author URL.
Morgenroth T, Fine C, Ryan MK, Genat AE (2017). Sex, Drugs, and Reckless Driving. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 9(6), 744-753. Abstract.
Ryan MK, Haslam SA, Morgenroth T, Rink F, Stoker J, Peters K (2016). Getting on top of the glass cliff: Reviewing a decade of evidence, Explanations, and impact. Leadership Quarterly, 27(3), 446-455. Abstract.
Bjerregaard K, Haslam SA, Morton TA, Ryan MK (2016). Social and relational identification as determinants of care workers’ motivation and wellbeing. Frontiers in Psychology Abstract.
Peters K, Ryan MK, Haslam SA (2015). Marines, medics, and machismo: Lack of fit with masculine occupational stereotypes discourages men's participation. British Journal of Psychology, 106(4), 635-655. Abstract.
Read SA, Morton TA, Ryan MK (2015). Negotiating identity: a qualitative analysis of stigma and support seeking for individuals with cerebral palsy. Disabil Rehabil, 37(13), 1162-1169. Abstract.  Author URL.
Kulich C, Lorenzi-Cioldi F, Iacoviello V, Faniko K, Ryan MK (2015). Signaling change during a crisis: Refining conditions for the glass cliff. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 61, 96-103. Abstract.
Morgenroth T, Ryan MK, Peters K (2015). The motivational theory of role modeling: How role models influence role aspirants' goals. Review of General Psychology, 19(4), 465-483. Abstract.
Bruckmüller S, Ryan MK, Rink F, Haslam SA (2014). Beyond the glass ceiling: the glass cliff and its lessons for organizational policy. Social Issues and Policy Review, 8(1), 202-232. Abstract.
Steffens NK, Haslam SA, Reicher SD, Platow MJ, Fransen K, Yang J, Ryan MK, Jetten J, Peters K, Boen F, et al (2014). Leadership as social identity management: Introducing the Identity Leadership Inventory (ILI) to assess and validate a four-dimensional model. Leadership Quarterly, 25(5), 1001-1024. Abstract.
Kulich C, Ryan MK, Haslam SA (2014). The Political Glass Cliff: Understanding How Seat Selection Contributes to the Underperformance of Ethnic Minority Candidates. Political Research Quarterly, 67(1), 84-95. Abstract.
Steffens NK, Haslam SA, Ryan MK, Kessler T (2013). Leader performance and prototypicality: Their inter-relationship and impact on leaders' identity entrepreneurship. European Journal of Social Psychology, 43(7), 606-613. Abstract.
Rink F, Ryan MK, Stoker JI (2013). Social resources at a time of crisis: How gender stereotypes inform gendered leader evaluations. European Journal of Social Psychology, 43(5), 381-392. Abstract.
O'Donnell AT, Ryan MK, Jetten J (2013). The hidden costs of surveillance for performance and helping behaviour. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 16(2), 246-256. Abstract.
Peters KO, Haslam SA, Ryan MK, Fonseca M (2013). Working with subgroup identities to build organizational identification and support for organizational strategy: a test of the ASPIRe model. Group and Organization Management Abstract.
Rink F, Ryan MK, Stoker JI (2012). Influence in times of crisis: how social and financial resources affect men's and women's evaluations of glass-cliff positions. Psychol Sci, 23(11), 1306-1313. Abstract.  Author URL.
Peters K, Ryan M, Haslam SA, Fernandes H (2012). To Belong or Not to Belong Evidence That Women's Occupational Disidentification is Promoted by Lack of Fit with Masculine Occupational Prototypes. JOURNAL OF PERSONNEL PSYCHOLOGY, 11(3), 148-158.  Author URL.
Ellemers N, Rink F, Derks B, Ryan MK (2012). Women in high places: When and why promoting women into top positions can harm them individually or as a group (and how to prevent this). Research in Organizational Behavior, 32, 163-187. Abstract.
Hersby MK, Jetten J, Ryan MK, Schmitt MT (2011). Responding to group-based discrimination: the impact of social structure on willingness to engage in mentoring. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 14, 319-335.
Giessner SR, Ryan MK, Schubert TW (2011). The power of pictures: Vertical picture angles and power perceptions. Media Psychology
Gartzia L, Ryan MK, Balluerka N, Aritzeta A (2011). Think crisis – think female: Further evidence. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology
Kulich C, Trojanowski G, Ryan MK, Haslam SA, Renneboog LDR (2011). Who Gets the Carrot and Who Gets the Stick? Evidence of Gender Disparities in Executive Remuneration. Strategic Management Journal, 32(3), 301-321.
Kulich C, Trojanowski G, Ryan MK, Haslam SA, Renneboog L (2011). Who gets the carrot and who gets the stick? Evidence of gender disparities in executive remuneration. Strategic Management Journal., 32, 301-321.
Ryan MK, Haslam SA, Kulich C (2010). Politics and the glass cliff: Evidence that women are preferentially selected to contest hard-to-win seat. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 34, 56-64. Abstract.
Ryan MK, Haslam SA, Hersby MD, Bongiorno R (2010). Think crisis–think female: Glass cliffs and contextual variation in the think manager–think male stereotype. Journal of Applied Psychology, 96, 470-484. Abstract.
O Donnell AT, Jetten J, Ryan MK (2010). Watching over your own: How surveillance moderates the impact of shared identity on perceptions of leaders and follower behaviour. European Journal of Social Psychology
O Donnell AT, Jetten J, Ryan MK (2010). Who is watching over you? the role of shared identity in perceptions of surveillance. European Journal of Social Psychology, 40, 135-147.
Hersby MD, Ryan MK, Jetten J (2009). Getting Together to Get Ahead: the Impact of Social Structure on Women's Networking. BRIT J MANAGE, 20(4), 415-430. Abstract.
Ryan MK, Haslam, S.A. (2009). Glass cliffs are not so easily scaled: on the precariousness of female CEOs’ positions. British Journal of Management, 20, 13-16.
Haslam SA, Ryan MK, Kulich C, Trojanowski G, Atkins C (2009). Investing with prejudice: the relationship between women’s presence on company boards and objective and subjective measures of company performance. British Journal of Management, 21, 484-497.
Iyer A, Ryan MK (2009). Why do men and women challenge gender discrimination in the workplace? the role of group status and in-group identification in predicting pathways to collective action. Journal of Social Issues, 65(4), 791-814. Abstract.
Grace D, David, B. Ryan, M.K. (2008). Investigating pre-schoolers’ categorical thinking about gender through imitation, attention and the use of self-categories. Child Development, 79, 1928-1941.
Wilson-Kovacs D, Ryan MK, Haslam SA, Rabinovich A (2008). Just because you can get a wheelchair in the building doesn't necessarily mean that you can still participate: barriers to the career advancement of disabled professionals. Disability and Society, 23(7), 705-717.
Ryan MK, Haslam, S.A. Hersby, M.D. Kulich, C. (2008). Opting out or pushed off the edge? the glass cliff and the precariousness of women’s leadership positions. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 1, 266–279.
Jones SE, Haslam SA, York L, Ryan MK (2008). Rotten apple or rotten barrel? Social identity and children's responses to bullying. BRITISH JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY, 26, 117-132.  Author URL.
Haslam SA, Ryan MK (2008). The road to the glass cliff: Differences in the perceived suitability of men and women for leadership positions in succeeding and failing organizations. Leadership Quarterly, 19(5), 530-546. Abstract.
Turner, J.C. Haslam, S.A. Ryan, M.K. (2007).  Does personality explain ingroup identification and discrimination? Evidence from the minimal group paradigm. British Journal of Social Psychology, 46, 517-539.
Ashby J, Ryan, M.K. Haslam, S.A. (2007). Legal work and the glass cliff: Evidence that women are preferentially selected to lead problematic cases. William and Mary Journal of Women and Law, 13(3), 775-794.
Ryan MK, Haslam, S.A. Postmes, T. (2007). Reactions to the glass cliff: Gender differences in the explanations for the precariousness of women’s leadership positions. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 20, 182-197.
Ryan MK, Haslam SA (2007). The glass cliff: Exploring the dynamics surrounding the appointment of women to precarious leadership positions. Academy of Management Review, 32(2), 549-572.
Kulich C, Ryan, M.K. Haslam, S.A. (2007). Where is the romance for women leaders? the effects of gender on leadership attributions and performance-based pay. Applied Psychology: an International Review, 56, 582-601.
Kulich C, Ryan MK, Haslam SA (2007). Where is the romance for women leaders? the effects of gender on leadership attributions and performance-based pay. Applied Psychology-an International Review-Psychologie Appliquee-Revue Internationale, 56(4), 582-601. Abstract.
Haslam SA, Ryan MK, Jetten J, Spears R (2006). Sticking to our guns: social identity as a basis for the maintenance of commitment to faltering organizational projects. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 27(5), 607-628.
Ryan MK, Haslam, S.A. (2006). The Glass Cliff: the stress of working on the edge. European Business Forum, 27, 42-47.
Ryan, M.K. Haslam, S.A. (2006). The glass-cliff: Women's career paths in the private IT sector. Equal Opportunities International,, 25, 674-687.
Wilson-Kovacs D, Ryan M, Haslam A (2006). The glass-cliff: women's career paths in the UK private IT sector. Equal Opportunities International, 25(8), 674-687. Abstract.
Morton TA, Haslam SA, Postmes T, Ryan MK (2006). We value what values us: the appeal of identity-affirming science. Political Psychology, 27(6), 823-838. Abstract.
Ryan MK, Haslam, S.A. (2006). What lies beyond the glass ceiling? the glass cliff and the potential precariousness of women’s leadership positions. Human Resources Management International Digest, 14, 3-5.
Platow MJ, Byrne L, Ryan MK (2005). Experimentally manipulated high in-group status can buffer personal self-esteem against discrimination. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, 35(5), 599-608.  Author URL.
Filardo, F. Troselj, L. Grace, D.M. Ryan MK (2005). Non-instrumental voice and extra-role behaviour. European Journal of Social Psychology, 36, 135-146.
Ryan MK, Haslam, S.A. (2005). The glass cliff: Evidence that women are over-represented in precarious leadership positions. British Journal of Management, 16(2), 81-90.
Ryan MK, David, B. Reynolds, K.J. (2004). ‘Who cares?: the effect of gender and context on the self and moral reasoning. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 28(3), 246-255.
Ryan MK, David, B. (2003). Gender differences in ways of knowing: the context dependence of the Attitudes Toward Thinking and Learning Survey. Sex Roles, 49, 693-699.
Reynolds KJ, Oakes PJ, Alexander Haslam S, Turner JC, Ryan MK (2003). Social identity as the basis of group entitativity: Elaborating the case for the "science of social groups per se". , 236-248.
Haslam SA, Platow, M.J. Turner, J.C. Reynolds, K.J. McGarty C, Oakes PJ, Johnson S, Ryan MK, Veenstra K (2001). Social identity and the romance of leadership: the importance of being seen to be ‘doing it for us’. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 4, 191-205.
Reynolds KJ, Turner JC, Haslam SA, Ryan MK (2001). The role of personality and group factors in explaining prejudice. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 37(5), 427-434.

Chapters

Gartzia L, Ryan M (2021). The subtlety of gender stereotypes in the workplace: Current and future directions for research on the glass cliff. In  (Ed) The Routledge International Handbook of Discrimination, Prejudice and Stereotyping, 58-72.
Morgenroth T, Ryan M (2018). Gender in a Social Psychology Context. In  (Ed) Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Psychology, Oxford University Press. Abstract.
Rink F, Ryan MK, Stoker JI (2016). Understanding the precariousness of the glass cliff: an examination of social resources and global context. In  (Ed) Exploring Resources, Life-Balance and Well-Being of Women Who Work in a Global Context, 93-107. Abstract.
Morgenroth T, Rink F, Ryan M, Stoker J (2015). The Glass Cliff: Understanding the Precariousness of Women’s Leadership Position and the Underlying Mechanisms. In Welpe IM, Brosi P, Ritzenhöfer L, Schwarzmüller T (Eds.) Auswahl von Männern und Frauen als Führungskräfte: Perspektiven aus Wirtschaft, Wissenschaft, Medien und Politik, 127-133.
Bruckmüller S, Ryan MK, Haslam SA, Peters K (2013). Ceilings, cliffs, and labyrinths: Exploring metaphors for workplace gender discrimination. In Ryan MK, Branscombe NR (Eds.) Sage Handbook of Gender and Psychology.
Peters K, Ryan MK, Haslam SA (2013). Chapter 7: Women’s occupational motivation: the impact of being a woman in a man’s world. In  (Ed) Handbook of Research on Promoting Women’s Careers, Edward Elgar Publishing, 162-177.
Ryan MK, Branscombe NR (2013). Understanding gender: Methods, content, and controversies. In  (Ed) The SAGE Handbook of Gender and Psychology, 3-10.
Peters K, Ryan MK, Haslam SA (2013). Women's occupational motivation: the impact of being a woman in a man's world. In  (Ed) Handbook of Research on Promoting Women's Careers, 162-177.
Barreto M, Ryan MK, Schmitt M (2009). Introduction. In Barreto M, Ryan MK, Schmitt M (Eds.) The Glass ceiling in the 21st century: Understanding barriers to gender equality, APA Division 35 Book Series. 3-18.
Ryan MK, Haslam SA, Hersby MD, Kulich C, Wilson-Kovacs D (2009). The stress of working on the edge: Examining the implications of glass cliffs for both women and organizations. In Barreto M, Ryan MK, Schmitt M (Eds.) Barriers to diversity: the glass ceiling 20 years on, London: APA Division 35 Book Series, 153-165.
Ryan MK, Kulich C, Haslam SA, Atkins C, Hersby MD (2008). Chapter 14: Examining Gendered Experiences Beyond the Glass Ceiling: the Precariousness of the Glass Cliff and the Absence of Rewards. In  (Ed) Women on Corporate Boards of Directors, Edward Elgar Publishing.
Ryan MK, Kulich C, Haslam SA, Hersby MD, Atkins C (2008). Examining gendered experiences beyond the glass ceiling: the precariousness of the glass cliff and the gender pay gap. In Vinnicombe S, Burke R, Singh V, Bilimoria D, Huse M (Eds.) Women on Corporate Boards of Directors: Research and Practice, Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, 165-183.
Barreto, M, Ryan MK, Schmitt, M (2008). The Glass Ceiling in the 21st Century: Understanding Barriers to Gender Equality. In Barreto, M, Ryan, K M, Schmitt, M (Eds.) The Glass Ceiling in the 21st Century: Understanding Barriers to Gender Equality, APA Division 35 Book Series, 9-18.
Ryan MK, Haslam, S.A. Hersby, M.D. Kulich, C. (2008). The stress of working on the edge: Examining the implications of glass cliffs for both women and organizations. In Barreto, M, Ryan, K M, Schmitt, M (Eds.) The Glass Ceiling in the 21st Century: Understanding Barriers to Gender Equality, APA Division 35 Book Series.
Ryan MK, Haslam, S.A. (2007). Beyond the Glass Ceiling: the glass cliff and the precariousness of women in leadership. In Jefferson T, Lord L, Nelson N, Preston A (Eds.) Changes. Challenges. Choices, 272-285.  Author URL.
Ryan MK, Haslam, S.A. Hersby, M.D. Kulich, C. (2007). Beyond the glass ceiling: the glass cliff and the precarious of women on the board. In Vinnicombe S, Burke R, Singh V, Bilimoria D, Huse M (Eds.) Women on Corporate Boards of Directors: Research and Practice, Edward Elgar.
Ryan MK, Haslam, S.A. (2005). The glass cliff: Implicit theories of leadership and gender and the precariousness of women’s leadership positions. In Schyns B, Meindl JR (Eds.) Implicit leadership theories: Essays and explorations, Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishing, 137-160.
Oakes, P.J. Haslam, S.A. Turner, J.C. Ryan MK (2004). To think, feel, and act as an entity: Cognitive, motivational, and contextual determinants of group psychology. In Yzerbyt V, Judd CM, Corneille C (Eds.) The Psychology of Group Perception: Contributions to the Study of Homogeneity, Entitativity, and Essentialism, New York: Psychology Press, 317-334.
Grace, D. Ryan, M.K. (2003). The gender wars: a self-categorization perspective on the development of gender identity. In Bennett M, Sani F (Eds.) The Development of the Social Self, Hove: Psychology Press, 135-157.

Conferences

Kulich C, Trojanowski G, Ryan MK, Haslam SA, Renneboog LDR (2008). Who Gets the Carrot and Who Gets the Stick? Evidence of Gender Disparities in Executive Remuneration. Academy of Management Annual Meeting 2008. 8th - 13th Aug 2008.

Reports

Begeny CT, Ryan M (2018). Gender discrimination in the veterinary profession: a brief report of the BVA Employers’ Study 2018. British Veterniary Association. Abstract.
Begeny CT, Ryan M, Bongiorno R (2018). Motivation, satisfaction, and retention: Understanding the importance of vets’ day-to-day work experiences. British Veterinary Association, British Veterinary Association. 11 pages.
Ryan MK, Haslam SA (2009). Introducing the glass cliff.
Ryan MK, Haslam SA, Hersby MD, Kulich C (2007). Managing diversity and the glass cliff - Research into Practice. London, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Ryan MK, Haslam, S.A. (2007). The Glass Cliff: the risks of being on top. CIPD Change Agenda.  London, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Wilson-Kovacs, D, Haslam, S.A, Ryan MK (2006). Exploring the Glass Cliff: Women’s Experiences. in IT.
Haslam, S.A, Ryan MK (2006). Women on the Glass Cliff. IDS: Diversity at work., March Issue. London: Incomes Data Services. 11 pages.
Haslam, S.A. Hersby, M.D. Atkins, C. (2006). Women’s potential, our passion: a survey of EMEA Women@Microsoft. Research report prepared for EMEA Microsoft, Exeter, March.
Ryan MK, Haslam, S.A. (2004). Beyond the glass ceiling. Women in the Boardroom: a Bird’s Eye View (pp 2-3). CIPD Change Agenda. June Issue.  London, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Ryan MK, Haslam, S.A. (2004). Women and leadership: the 'glass cliff' beyond the 'glass ceiling', Institute of Directors South West.  Torquay.

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External Engagement and Impact

Awards and distinctions

THES Finalist (with Alex Haslam) Research Project of the Year (2005)
Runner-up ESRC Michael Young Prize (2006)

Visiting Professorship, Groningen (2007)


Editorial responsibilities

Associate Editor, British Journal of Social Psychology (2010-2012)


Invited lectures

Conferences

Ryan, M. K. (2013). Beyond the glass ceiling: How the glass cliff reveals the precariousness of women's leadership positions. Invited keynote address to EAWOP Small group meeting on Gender in Organisations. Frankfurt, Germany, October.

Ryan, M. K. (2012). Beyond the glass ceiling: Revealing the precariousness of women's leadership positions. Invited keynote address to the BPS Division of Occupational Psychology Conference 2012, London. UK. October.

Peters, K., & Ryan, M. K. (2010). How perceptions of leadership impact on female surgeons’ career ambition. Invited address to the Women in Surgery Conference, London, November. 

Haslam, S.A., Reicher, S., Ryan, M. K., & Peters, K. & (2010). The New Psychology of Leadership. Invited presentation at the British Festival of Science, Birmingham, September.

Ryan, M. K., & Peters, K. (2009). Career progression for women in the police service: Using fit to stoke ambition. Invited address to the British Association of Management Gender in Management Special Interest Group day. London, UK, November.

Ryan, M. K., & Haslam, S. A. (2009). Beyond the glass ceiling: Revealing the precariousness of women's leadership positions. Invited address to the Association for the Teaching of Psychology Annual Conference, Exeter, UK, July.

Ryan, M. K., & Peters, K. (2009). Career progression for women in the police service: Using fit to stoke ambition. Invited address to the Senior Women in Policing Conference. Exeter, UK, April.

Ryan, M. K., & Haslam, S. A. (2008). The Glass Cliff: Precariousness and stress beyond the glass ceiling. Invited paper presented to European Woman Lawyer Conference. London, UK, July.

Ryan, M. K., Haslam, S.A., & Peters, K. (2008). Are we still falling over the glass cliff? Invited address to the Senior Women in Policing Conference. Birmingham, UK, February.

Ryan, M. K., Kulich, C., & Haslam, S. A. (2008).Working through indifference: An integrated analysis of women's experiences with leadership. Invited address to the Changing Leadership Agenda, ESRC Seminar Series, Centre for Leadership Studies.

Industry events and Colloquia

Ryan, M. K., & Haslam, S. A. (2013). New Psychology of Leadership. Invited address to the LFHE Welsh Research Leaders Program. Cardiff, Wales. July

Ryan, M. K. (2013). Uncovering the Glass Cliff: Dynamics surrounding the appointment of women to precarious leadership positions. Invited talk to University of Cambridge Women’s Network, Cambridge, UK, June.

Ryan, M. K., & Haslam, S. A. (2013). New Psychology of Leadership. Invited address to the NHS Aspiring Leaders Program. Ashburton, UK. Feb

Ryan, M. K. (2012). Uncovering the Glass Cliff: Dynamics surrounding the appointment of women to precarious leadership positions. Invited keynote address to the BPS South West AGM, Exeter, UK. November.

Ryan, M. K. (2012). Uncovering the Glass Cliff: Dynamics surrounding the appointment of women to precarious leadership positions. Invited address to the launch of the London Metropolitan Business School Centre for Progressive Leadership. London, UK. November

Ryan, M. K. (2012). The Glass Cliff: Dynamics surrounding the appointment of women to precarious leadership positions. Invited keynote address to the Women’s International Network WINFest Board Boot Camp. London, UK. November

Ryan, M. K., & Haslam, S. A. (2012). New Psychology of Leadership. Invited address to the NHS Aspiring Leaders Program. Taunton, UK. May

McNally, S., Fernandes, H., Peters, K., & Ryan, M. K. (2011). Improving fit among female surgeons.Invited paper presented at the National Association of Medical Educators, London, January.

McNally, S., Fernandes, H., Peters, K., & Ryan, M. K. (2011). Improving fit among female surgeons. Invited paper presented at the Academy of Medical Educators, London, January.

Ryan, M. K., & Haslam, S. A. (2011). New Psychology of Leadership. Invited address to the NHS Aspiring Leaders Program. Ashburton, UK. September

Ryan, M. K., & Haslam, S. A. (2011). The Glass Cliff: Dynamics surrounding the appointment of women to precarious leadership positions. Invited talk to the Psychology Department, University of Cardiff, Exeter UK, June.

Ryan, M. K., & Haslam, S. A. (2011). The Glass Cliff: Dynamics surrounding the appointment of women to precarious leadership positions. Invited talk to the Work & Organisational Psychology Group, Aston Business School, Birmingham, May.

Ryan, M. K., & Haslam, S. A. (2010). The Glass Cliff: Dynamics surrounding the appointment of women to precarious leadership positions. Invited talk to the Politics Department, University of Exeter, Exeter UK, March.

Ryan, M. K., & Haslam, S. A. (2010). New Psychology of Leadership. Invited address to the NHS Aspiring Leaders Program. Ashburton, UK. May

Ryan, M. K., Peters, K. O., & Haslam, S.A. (2010). Fitting in or opting out: Ambition and the under-representation of women. Invited address to the International Women’s Day event. Exeter, UK, March.

Ryan, M. K., Peters, K. O., & Haslam, S.A. (2010). Fitting in or opting out: Ambition and the under-representation of women. Invited address to the IBM International Women’s Day event. London, UK, March.

Ryan, M. K., Peters, K. O., & Haslam, S.A. (2009). Opting Out or Being Left Out: Do Women Really Lack Ambition? Invited address to the Trafford Council Female Leadership Event. Manchester, UK, September.

Ryan, M. K., & Haslam, S. A.. (2009). Beyond the glass ceiling: The precariousness of women's leadership positions. Invited address, Women in Science Colloquium, Groningen, NL, January.

Ryan, M. K., Haslam, S. A., Peters, K. O., & Kulich, C. (2009). Do women lack ambition: Explaining the opt-out revolution. Invited address, School of Psychology, University of Melbourne, March.

Ryan, M. K., Peters, K., & Haslam, S. A. (2009). Opting out or being left out: Do women really lack ambition? Invited address Society of Petroleum Engineers’ Women in The Energy Sector Seminar. London, UK, May.

Ryan, M. K., & Haslam, S. A.. (2008). Beyond the Glass Ceiling: Revealing the precariousness of women’s leadership positions. Invited address, Department of Psychology, University of Winchester, April.

Ryan, M. K., Haslam, S. A., Hersby, M. D., Kulich, C., & Atkins, C. (2008). The Glass Cliff: Precariousness beyond the glass ceiling. Invited address, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, January.


Media Coverage

Since its discovery, the term ‘glass cliff’ has entered public discourse and the concept informs and shapes debate and the public understanding of women’s leadership positions. 

The media has embraced the notion of the glass cliff, incorporating it into analyses of women’s leadership positions. A Google news search for ‘glass cliff’ reveals over 160 news articles that refer to the glass cliff.

A broader phrase search reveals nearly 25,000 hits which include blogs (e.g., the Wall Street Journal blog, July 2012), HR websites (e.g., Human Capital Online, Oct 2008), and online resources for female leaders (e.g., femalebreadwiinners.com)

The UK media coverage has included all major British newspapers and television stations as well as local newspapers. The research has also been represented worldwide, from the Boston Globe to the Calcutta Times, from CNN to Australian radio.

Importantly, while initial media coverage was restricted to reports directly about the research project itself, in more recent years this is no longer the case. The glass cliff is now frequently discussed with no reference to the research itself, but rather is now accepted as a common phrase that can be used to explain women’s leadership. Indicative of the glass cliff becoming a common phrase within public discourse, in 2011, of the nearly 1,600 web hits which included mention of the glass cliff, over 500 of them made no mention of the research or the researchers themselves.

The New York Times named the glass cliff as one of the Top 100 ideas that shaped 2008.

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Supervision / Group

Postdoctoral researchers

  • Christopher Begeny
  • Renata Bongiorno
  • Thekla Morgenroth

Postgraduate researchers

Alumni

  • Paul Beckley
  • Susanne Bruckmueller
  • Mette Hersby PhD awarded 2009
  • Clara Kulich PhD awarded 2009
  • Aisling O'Donnell PhD awarded 2010
  • Stuart Read

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