Anca Minescu


Contact Details

Assistant Dean International
Main Building
E: anca.minescu@ul.ie
Lecturer in Social and Political Psychology
Main Building
E: anca.minescu@ul.ie
 
researcher

Biography

Dr. Anca Minescu obtained her MSc degree in the Research Master on Migration, Ethnic Relations and Multiculturalism, and her doctoral degree at Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
Her doctoral research took place at the Interuniversity Center for Social Science Theory and Methodology (ICS) and at European Research Center on Migration and Ethnic Relations. In 2007, she was a visiting scholar at the University of California at Berkeley, at the Survey Research Center, and in 2008 she went to the University of Sussex, Department of Psychology for an internship.
At the Graduate School of the Faculty of Social Sciences in Utrecht, she coordinated several workshops, international events and student exchanges, within the Trans-Atlantic Student Mobility Project in "Race, Ethnicity and Migration Studies" (EU-FIPSE). 

She joined the In the Department of Psychology, at UL on the 1st of January 2010.

Most recently, Dr. Minescu engaged with Bright Club Ireland to disseminate her research through comedy:
First in 2018: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN_UwiP2mPo
And in 2019: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKV06P8C8Lo

She set up and runs the Migration and Integration Research Lab Group, meeting every Tuesday from 4-5 pm (please email Sanctuary.Psychology@ul.ie if you would like to join).

 Dr. Anca Minescu is the local academic coordinator for Erasmus Mundus Master in Psychology of Global Mobility, Inclusion and Diversity in Society Global-MINDS. 

In June 2019,forward to participate in the Wisdom Together Conference Engage, connect and create – from the Inner Core!, Munich, Germany.    

Since UL’s designation as a University of Sanctuary, Dr. Minescu led the development of the Sanctuary with Psychology Project. In March 2018, a trained group of volunteers started a range of activities providing social-psychological support for migrant groups, relevant training in intercultural competence and other related topics to those working with migrant communities, and linking our research activity with relevant stakeholders and policy makers. The current focus is also on creating an online source of documentation and awareness around issues of diversity, migration and inclusion.
Follow the Sanctuary with Psychology Project on:
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SanctuarywithPsychology/
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/sanctuary-with-psychology-project
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanctuary_ul/
Email: Sanctuary.Psychology@ul.ie

Research Interests

Dr. Anca Minescu works in the broad field of ethnic relations, looking at people’s attitudes and interactions with members from different ethnic or political groups. She researches social and political change, migration, diversity and inclusion from a social-psychological and cross-cultural perspective, using different research methodologies to capture the interaction between social context and individuals. She wants to contribute to a better world by increasing intercultural competence and acceptance of diversity and reducing prejudice and marginalization.

Dr. Minescu's main lines of research are:
  1. Cultural diversity and group-based prejudice. This covers a range of attitudes: from group stereotypes, to support for minority rights, and intercultural sensitivity and competence. Using a multiple group and multilevel approach, she investigates the effects of group power and relative status on individuals’ intergroup attitudes and political goals.
  2. Group identities: What is it, how people construct their group identities and how the groups they belong to shape their worldviews. In particular, she researches the content of ethnic, national and other political identities (e.g., European, Asylum Seeker), the processes of identification and identity building with these groups. Group identities reflect complex interactions between social structure, national/political ideologies and the individuals involved.
  3. Political action and the sense of group position:  Social and political changes in our societies are based on group mobilization and collective action. She is interested in the social-psychological processes that underlie engagement in political action, on behalf of groups and communities. The types and meanings of group identities and their effects on people's engagement with their ingroups and exclusion of outgroups are key processes in how we position ourselves in our societies and how we may participate in changing it.  

Books

  Year Publication
2012 Relative Group Position and Intergroup Attitudes in Russsia.
Minescu, A. (2012) Relative Group Position and Intergroup Attitudes in Russsia. Amsterdam: Ponsen & Looijen. [Details]

Book Chapters

  Year Publication
2007 'Are Minority Rights Beneficial for Inter-Ethnic Relations? The Impact of Political Ideologies and Group Position in Russia'
Minescu, A. (2007) 'Are Minority Rights Beneficial for Inter-Ethnic Relations? The Impact of Political Ideologies and Group Position in Russia' In: Culture and Conflict. Liber Amicorum for Louk Hagendoorn. Amsterdam: Aksant Academic Publishers. [Details]
2008 'Supporting Minority Rights: Inter-Group Determinants and Consequences'
Minescu, A. (2008) 'Supporting Minority Rights: Inter-Group Determinants and Consequences' In: The Tension between Group Rights and Human Rights. A Multidisciplinary Approach. Oxford: Hart Publishing. [Details]

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
2023 '“Put a Little Love in Your Heart”: Acceptance of Paternalistic and Ally Political Discourses Both Predict Pro-Roma Solidarity Intentions Through Moral Inclusion'
Kende, A., Sam Nariman, H., Nyúl, B., Badea, C., Lášticová, B., Mahfud, Y., Gruev-Vintila, A., Minescu, A., O'Connor, A., Boza, M., Poslon, X.D., Popper, M. and Hadarics, M. (2023) '“Put a Little Love in Your Heart”: Acceptance of Paternalistic and Ally Political Discourses Both Predict Pro-Roma Solidarity Intentions Through Moral Inclusion'. Political Psychology, [DOI] [Details]
2022 'Cultural Identity in Bicultural Young Adults in Ireland: A Social Representation Theory Approach'
Ogoro, Mamobo; Minescu, Anca; Moriarty, Mairead (2022) 'Cultural Identity in Bicultural Young Adults in Ireland: A Social Representation Theory Approach'. SN Social Sciences, [DOI] [Details]
2022 'A human rights based approach to the global children's rights crisis: A call to action'
Levy S.R.;Migacheva K.;Ramírez L.;Okorodudu C.;Cook H.;Araujo-Soares V.;Minescu A.;Livert D.;Ragin D.F.;Walker P. (2022) 'A human rights based approach to the global children's rights crisis: A call to action'. Journal Of Social Issues, [DOI] [Details]
2022 'A test of the maintenance of the effects of imagined contact framed with supportive social norms as a teacher-led field intervention'
Smith E.M.;Minescu A. (2022) 'A test of the maintenance of the effects of imagined contact framed with supportive social norms as a teacher-led field intervention'. Journal Of School Psychology, 92 :324-333 [DOI] [Details]
2022 'The imaginary friends of my friends: Imagined contact interventions which highlight supportive social norms reduce children¿s antirefugee bias'
Smith E.M.;Minescu A. (2022) 'The imaginary friends of my friends: Imagined contact interventions which highlight supportive social norms reduce children¿s antirefugee bias'. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 25 (5):1295-1311 [DOI] [Details]
2021 'Comparing normative influence from proximal and distal groups: beyond family, religious ingroup norms predict children’s prejudice towards refugees'
Smith, E. & Minescu, A (2021) 'Comparing normative influence from proximal and distal groups: beyond family, religious ingroup norms predict children’s prejudice towards refugees'. International Journal Of Intercultural Relations, 81 :54-67 [DOI] [Details]
2021 'Trust predicts COVID-19 prescribed and discretionary behavioral intentions in 23 countries'
Pagliaro, S;Sacchi, S;Pacilli, MG;Brambilla, M;Lionetti, F;Bettache, K;Bianchi, M;Biella, M;Bonnot, V;Boza, M;Butera, F;Ceylan-Batur, S;Chong, K;Chopova, T;Crimston, CR;Alvarez, B;Cuadrado, I;Ellemers, N;Formanowicz, M;Graupmann, V;Gkinopoulos, T;Jeong, EHK;Jasinskaja-Lahti, I;Jetten, J;Bin, KM;Mao, YH;McCoy, C;Mehnaz, F;Minescu, A;Sirlopu, D;Simic, A;Travaglino, G;Uskul, AK;Zanetti, C;Zinn, A;Zubieta, E (2021) 'Trust predicts COVID-19 prescribed and discretionary behavioral intentions in 23 countries'. Plos One, 16 [DOI] [Details]
2020 'Anti-roma Bias (Stereotypes, Prejudice, Behavioral Tendencies): A Network Approach Toward Attitude Strength'
Nariman, HS;Hadarics, M;Kende, A;Lasticova, B;Poslon, XD;Popper, M;Boza, M;Ernst-Vintila, A;Badea, C;Mahfud, Y;O'Connor, A;Minescu, A (2020) 'Anti-roma Bias (Stereotypes, Prejudice, Behavioral Tendencies): A Network Approach Toward Attitude Strength'. Frontiers in psychology, 11 [DOI] [Details]
2019 ''I have not witnessed it personally myself, but ... ': Epistemics in managing talk on racism against immigrants in Ireland'
Sambaraju, R;Minescu, A (2019) ''I have not witnessed it personally myself, but ... ': Epistemics in managing talk on racism against immigrants in Ireland'. European Journal Of Social Psychology, 49 :398-412 [DOI] [Details]
2020 'The last acceptable prejudice in Europe? Anti-Gypsyism as the obstacle to Roma inclusion'
Kende A.;Hadarics M.;Bigazzi S.;Boza M.;Kunst J.R.;Lantos N.A.;Lá¿ticová B.;Minescu A.;Pivetti M.;Urbiola A. (2020) 'The last acceptable prejudice in Europe? Anti-Gypsyism as the obstacle to Roma inclusion'. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, [DOI] [Details]
2013 'A commentary on 'The effects of identification with a support group on the mental health of people with multiple sclerosis''
Gallagher, S,O'Donnell, AT,Minescu, A,Muldoon, OT (2013) 'A commentary on 'The effects of identification with a support group on the mental health of people with multiple sclerosis''. Journal Of Psychosomatic Research, :294-294 [DOI] [Details]
2019 ''We fight for a better future for our country': Understanding the Ukrainian Euromaidan movement as the emergence of a social competition strategy'
Chayinska, M;Minescu, A;McGarty, C (2019) ''We fight for a better future for our country': Understanding the Ukrainian Euromaidan movement as the emergence of a social competition strategy'. British Journal Of Social Psychology, 58 :45-65 [DOI] [Details]
2018 '"They've conspired against us": Understanding the role of social identification and conspiracy beliefs in justification of ingroup collective behavior'
Chayinska, M;Minescu, A (2018) '"They've conspired against us": Understanding the role of social identification and conspiracy beliefs in justification of ingroup collective behavior'. European Journal Of Social Psychology, 48 :990-998 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2017 'Parents' and children's understanding of their own and others' national identity: The importance of including the family in the national group'
Muldoon, OT,O'Donnell, AT,Minescu, A (2017) 'Parents' and children's understanding of their own and others' national identity: The importance of including the family in the national group'. Journal Of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 27 :347-357 [DOI] [Details]
2017 'Political solidarity through action (and inaction): How international relations changed intracultural perceptions in Ukraine'
Chayinska, M,Minescu, A,McGarty, C (2017) 'Political solidarity through action (and inaction): How international relations changed intracultural perceptions in Ukraine'. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 20 :396-408 [DOI] [Details]
2017 ''The More We Stand For - The More We Fight For': Compatibility and Legitimacy in the Effects of Multiple Social Identities'
Chayinska, M,Minescu, A,McGarty, C (2017) ''The More We Stand For - The More We Fight For': Compatibility and Legitimacy in the Effects of Multiple Social Identities'. Frontiers in psychology, 8 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
2008 'Types of Identification and Intergroup Differentiation in the Russian Federation'
Minescu, A., Hagendoorn, L., Poppe, E. (2008) 'Types of Identification and Intergroup Differentiation in the Russian Federation'. Journal Of Social Issues, (64):321-342 [Details]
2008 'Support for Separatism in Ethnic Republics of the Russian Federation'
Hagendoorn, L., Poppe, E. & Minescu, A. (2008) 'Support for Separatism in Ethnic Republics of the Russian Federation'. Europe-Asia Studies, 60 (3):353-373 [Details]
2008 'Generality and Specificity in Stereotypes of Out-group Power and Benevolence: Views of Chechens and Jews in the Russian Federation'
Leach, C.W., Minescu, A., Poppe, E. & Hagendoorn, L. (2008) 'Generality and Specificity in Stereotypes of Out-group Power and Benevolence: Views of Chechens and Jews in the Russian Federation'. European Journal Of Social Psychology, 38 :1165-1174 [Details]
2011 'Intergroup Conflict in Russia: Testing the Group Position Model'
Minescu, A; Poppe, E (2011) 'Intergroup Conflict in Russia: Testing the Group Position Model'. Social Psychology Quarterly, 74 :166-191 [DOI] [Details]

Conference Contributions

  Year Publication
2016 Final COST action IS1205 conference,
Muldoon, O. T., O’Donnell, A. T., & Minescu, A. (2016) Parents, Family and Children’s understanding of National identity and Multiculturalism. [Oral Presentation], Final COST action IS1205 conference, Limerick [Details]
2016 Final COST action IS1205 conference,
O’Donnell, A. T., Muldoon, O. T., & Minescu, A. (2016) “We have to pass that heritage on”: Understandings of commemoration, family, and national identity socialisation. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], Final COST action IS1205 conference, Limerick [Details]
2014 European Association of Social Psychology (EASP) 17th General Meeting,
Minescu, A., O’Donnell, A., & Muldoon, O. (2014) Who “makes” national identities? National identification and identity content for individuals and families in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], European Association of Social Psychology (EASP) 17th General Meeting, Amsterdam, the Netherlands , 09-JUL-14 - 12-JUL-14 [Details]
2013 15th Jena Workshop on 'The puzzle of me and I: Individual and Collective Perspectives on Self and Identity’,
Minescu, A., O’Donnell, A., & Muldoon, O. (2013) History in the Making: National Identity within and between National Groups. [Oral Presentation], 15th Jena Workshop on 'The puzzle of me and I: Individual and Collective Perspectives on Self and Identity’, Oppurg, Germany , 04-JUL-13 - 07-JUL-13 [Details]
2013 British Psychological Society (BPS) Social Section Annual Conference,
Muldoon, O. T., O’Donnell, A. T., & Minescu, A. (2013) National identity in Ireland: a study of parents and children. [Oral Presentation], British Psychological Society (BPS) Social Section Annual Conference, Exeter, UK , 28-AUG-13 - 30-AUG-13 [Details]

Published Reports

  Year Publication
2022 I must be Some Person: Accounts from Street Sex Workers in Ireland.
Minescu, A., Stoica, B., Zubareva, A., Leahy, P., Paulon, T., Clifford, N., Pereira, N. & Berry, A. (2022) I must be Some Person: Accounts from Street Sex Workers in Ireland. UL Engage Report, No. 10, University of Limerick. Ireland. [Details]
2020 Themes, resources and effects of political discourses about the Traveller and Roma communities: country-specific analysis in Ireland. PolRom Project Workpackage 3 Report.
O’Connor, Völgyesi, A, Minescu, A., Ogoro, M., Zubareva, A. (2020) Themes, resources and effects of political discourses about the Traveller and Roma communities: country-specific analysis in Ireland. PolRom Project Workpackage 3 Report. https://polrom.eu/, https://polrom.eu/. [Details]
2020 Cross-country comparisons of the connection between political discourse, intergroup attitudes, and collective action. PolRom Project, Workpackage 2: Report on Survey results for Ireland.
O’Connor, A., Minescu, A., & Völgyesi, A. (2020) Cross-country comparisons of the connection between political discourse, intergroup attitudes, and collective action. PolRom Project, Workpackage 2: Report on Survey results for Ireland. https://polrom.eu/, https://polrom.eu/. [ULIR Link] [Details]
2020 ) Evaluation of Anti-discrimination Interventions Targeting the Links between Political Discourse, Antigypsyism and Collective Action, In Ireland.
4. O’Connor, A., Minescu, A., & Völgyesi, A (2020) ) Evaluation of Anti-discrimination Interventions Targeting the Links between Political Discourse, Antigypsyism and Collective Action, In Ireland. https://polrom.eu/, https://polrom.eu/. [ULIR Link] [Details]
2020 Evaluation of Anti-discrimination Interventions: Focus Groups MEMO in Ireland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania. PolRom Project Workpackage 4.
O’Connor, A. & Minescu, A. (2020) Evaluation of Anti-discrimination Interventions: Focus Groups MEMO in Ireland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania. PolRom Project Workpackage 4. https://polrom.eu/, https://polrom.eu/. [ULIR Link] [Details]

Article

  Year Publication
2018 `I have not witnessed it personally myself, but¿¿: Epistemics in managing talk on racism against immigrants in Ireland.
Sambaraju R.;Minescu A. (2018) `I have not witnessed it personally myself, but¿¿: Epistemics in managing talk on racism against immigrants in Ireland. Article [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]

Modules Taught

  Term (ID)) Title Link Subject
2/2023 Intercultural Competence: Knowledge and Skills PS6014Psychology of cultural diversity and intergroup relations
2/2018 Advanced Studies in Political Psychology PS6082Political and Social Psychology
2019 Global Minds Praxis PS6023Psychology Internship module
2018 Major Research Project 1-3 Global Minds PS6033/34/35Master Thesis Modules for Erasmus MUNDUS Global-MINDS Programme
2018 Advanced Studies in Political Psychology PS6082Psychology of political and social behaviour (Master level)
2010 Human Development and the Lifespan PS4012Developmental Psychology
2022 Migration: Inclusion and Health PS6132Cross-cultural and health psychology of migration and social inclusion
2020 Global Citizenship and Intercultural Competence GC4005Perspectives on social justice and psychological training of intercultural competence
2011 Political Psychology PS4087Psychology of political and social behaviour