Dr Paul Conway

Overview

Dr Conway is a research-active academic who focuses on understanding how people make moral judgments and decisions, and how these judgments shape their behaviour. His research explores the psychology of morality, including why individuals are motivated to do good, and why moral disagreements arise between groups.  

Dr Conway has published over fifty scientific articles, served as an editor at academic journals, and his work has been cited over 5000 times. Bridging psychological theory and real-world ethical challenges, his work examines moral decision-making in high-stakes contexts, such as policing, military service, healthcare, and public policy. He presents research at academic meetings and publications, but also beyond them in public talks, podcasts, media, and in meeting with organisations like INTERPOL.  

Dr Conway is a member of the Centre for Research on Self and Identity and the Centre for Behavioural Experimental Action and Research (C-BEAR). He’s been teaching for over 20 years across five institutions and three countries. He’s won awards for both teaching and research, including the 2020 Rising Star Award from the Association for Psychological Science. In his spare time, Dr Conway participates in Science Comedy.   

Example Papers:  

Brandt, E., Lam, J., & Conway, P. (2025). Efficient leaders risk appearing as jerks: People expect authority figures to accept organizational sacrificial harm, but view doing so as cold and immoral. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 55(11), 940-960. https://doi.org/10.1111/jasp.70018 

Conway, P., Redmond, T., Lundrigan, S., Davy, D., Bailey, & Lee, P. (2024). Protecting the protectors: Moral injury, coping styles, and mental health of UK police officers and staff investigating child sexual abuse material. Depression & Anxiety, 854312. https://doi.org/10.1155/da/1854312  

Moral identity, reputation, and perception

How people evaluate the moral worth of themselves and other people depending on context and behaviour

Sacrificial moral judgments

The psychological mechanisms involved in sacrificial judgments, especially social factors.  

Moral injury and wellbeing

How feelings of moral failing powerfully undermine wellbeing in professions such as police, healthcare, the clergy, and the military.

Group conflict and moral disagreement

Clarifying the specific ways that different groups agree and disagree on moral issues.