Building better organizations through graduate research

For Wayne State University Ph.D. student Justin Rousseau, research is about more than numbers and models; it's about understanding people and helping organizations work better for them.

Rousseau, a second-year doctoral student in industrial and organizational psychology, recently presented his research at the Wayne State Graduate Research Symposium. Working closely with his faculty advisor, Cort W. Rudolph, professor of industrial and organizational psychology, Rousseau explored a new way of analyzing how people's experiences and behaviors change over time. While the statistical methods behind the project are complex, the opportunity itself was straightforward: hands-on research experience guided by an engaged faculty mentor.

"Having a faculty advisor makes a huge difference," Rousseau said. "You're learning how to conduct real research, but you also have someone there to give feedback, answer questions and help you think through problems. It's research with guardrails."

Rousseau's project examined a technique called continuous-time mediation modeling, a recent advancement in the statistical modeling of longitudinal data, which allows researchers to study changes - such as stress, motivation or work-life balance - as they naturally unfold, rather than at fixed points in time.

Using existing data collected by Rudolph from interviews with German employees over several months, Rousseau helped show how this approach can improve accuracy and reduce gaps that often appear in long-term studies.

For Rousseau, the appeal of the project went beyond the data. "I enjoy statistics, but I also really like the idea of time and how things change," he said. "This approach fits better with how people actually live and work."

Originally from Plymouth-Canton, Rousseau earned his undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Michigan before coming to Wayne State for his doctorate. He credits the university's research culture and supportive faculty with helping him refine his interests and professional goals. After completing his degree, Rousseau hopes to work in the private sector as a consultant or internal organizational specialist, helping companies improve employee well-being, leadership and workplace effectiveness.

"At the end of the day, people are fascinating," he said. "This field lets me combine research, problem-solving and a real chance to make organizations better for the people in them."

For students considering research, Rousseau offers simple advice: seek out opportunities. "They're here," he said. "You just have to go find them."