Nic M. Weststrate, PhD
Associate Professor and Associate Chair
Educational Psychology
Faculty Affiliate, Department of Psychology
Faculty Affiliate, Center for Research on Health and Aging
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Contact
- Building & Room:
- 3521 ETMSW
- Address:
- 1040 W. Harrison St.
- Office Phone:
- (312) 996-9478
Email:
Related Sites:
About
Dr. Nic M. Weststrate is a personality psychologist, critical-cultural developmentalist, and queer scholar activist who is broadly interested in psychosocial development in cultural-historical context. His interdisciplinary research focuses primarily on positive aging within LGBTQ2SIA+ communities, with a particular interest in the development, manifestation, and transmission of wisdom. A cross-cutting theme in his research has been the role of intergenerational storytelling in promoting positive psychosocial development among marginalized communities. He uses quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods, including underrepresented approaches like structural psychobiography, experimental ethnography, and community-engaged research. In Nic’s community-engaged research, he partners with the Pride in Aging Program at the Center on Halsted and Pride Action Tank of the AIDS Foundation Chicago.
Courses Taught
EPSY 100 - Introduction to Human Development & Learning
EPSY 242 - Introduction to Sexuality Development Across the Lifespan
EPSY 257 - Adult Development & Aging in Contemporary Society
EPSY 340 - Self & Identity Development Across the Lifespan
EPSY 384 - Critical Perspectives in LGBTQ+ Human Development
Selected Grants
The Spencer Foundation, Generating Queers: The Transformative Work of LGBTQ+ Intergenerational Dialogues, Co-Principal Investigator
RRF Foundation for Aging, Storytelling as a Pathway to Intergenerational Social Connectedness for LGBTQ+ Younger and Older Adults, Co-Principal Investigator
UIC Award for Creative Activity, Queers Share This: Disseminating the LGBTQ+ Intergenerational Dialogue Project, Principal Investigator
UIC Student Affairs Faculty Research Fellow Program, Brick by Brick: LGBTQ2SIA+ Campus Climate Study, Principal Investigator
Selected Publications
Grossmann, I., & Weststrate, N. M. (2027). Navigating the unknown: The sociocultural and metacognitive architecture of wisdom. Annual Review of Psychology, 78, 1-34. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-020226-034154
Greyson, K., Weststrate, N. M., & McLean, K. C. (2026). Coming into queer: A mixed-method exploration of queer socialization experiences among LGBTQ+ emerging adults. LGBTQ+ Family: An Interdisciplinary Journal. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/27703371.2026.2681990
McLean, K. C., Park, A., Moriarty, N., Starling, K., & Weststrate, N. M. (2026). “We need it, just like we need air”: Harmonies and tensions in LGBTQ+ intergenerational engagement. Qualitative Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/qup0000367
Weststrate, N. M., Morris, K. A., Greteman, A. J., & Moore, L. L. (2026). Navigating cultural change together in an LGBTQ+ intergenerational community in Chicago. Psychology & Sexuality. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/19419899.2026.2673530
McLean, K. C., Moriarty, N., Starling, K., & Weststrate, N. M. (2024). Letters from queer elders: Transmitting intergenerational wisdom in LGBTQ+ communities. Journal of Homosexuality, 72(3), 544-569. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2024.2326482
Weststrate, N. M., Greteman, A. J., Morris, K. A., & Moore, L. L. (2024). Pathways to queer thriving in an LGBTQ+ intergenerational community. American Psychologist, 79(8), 1185-1201. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001338
Weststrate, N. M., McLean, K. C., & Fivush, R. (2024). Intergenerational storytelling and positive psychosocial development: Stories as developmental resources for marginalized groups. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 28(4), 351-371. https://doi.org/10.1177/10888683241259902
Weststrate, N. M., & McLean, K. C. (2023). “You’ve gotta give them hope”: A structural psychobiography of Harvey Milk (1930-1978). Journal of Personality, 91(1), 105-119. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12744
Dong, M., Weststrate, N. M., & Fournier, M. A. (2023). Thirty years of psychological wisdom research: What we know about the correlates of an ancient concept. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 18(4) 778-811. https://doi.org/10.1177/17456916221114096
Glück, J., & Weststrate, N. M. (2022). The wisdom researchers and the elephant: Toward an integrative theory of wise behavior. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 26 (4), 342-374. https://doi.org/10.1177/10888683221094650
Publication Aggregators
Notable Honors
2026, Hunt-Simes Visiting Chair in Sexuality Studies, University of Sydney, Australia
2025, Program of Distinction (The LGBTQ+ Intergenerational Dialogue Project), Generations United
2025, Setha M. Low Engaged Anthropology Award, American Anthropological Association
2024, The George A. Miller Award (Outstanding Article), American Psychological Association (Division 1)
2023, Emerging Faculty Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award, UIC
2022, Faculty Fellow of the Year, UIC Honors College
Education
2017, PhD, University of Toronto, Developmental Psychology
2011, MA, University of Toronto, Developmental Psychology
2007, HBSc, University of Toronto, Psychology and Philosophy
Professional Memberships
American Educational Research Association
Association for Research in Personality
Gerontological Society of America
Society for Personality and Social Psychology