Cultures of Growth: How the New Science of Mindset Can Transform Individuals, Teams, and Organizations

Come hear from the Hanson Center Visiting Scholar for 2026-27, Dr. Mary C. Murphy.  Dr. Murphy is an internationally recognized scholar in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the Herman B. Wells Endowed Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University. Dr. Murphy's research shows that mindsets are not just individual beliefs; they are also shaped by classrooms, workplaces, and organizational cultures. These local cultures can either promote learning, collaboration, and inclusion or reinforce threat, fixed ability beliefs, and inequality. Her work spans growth mindset, stereotype threat, belonging, identity threat, and the social cues that shape motivation and performance, especially in STEM fields and other settings.

The author of more than 100 publications, Dr. Murphy was awarded the 2019 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest award bestowed on early career scholars by the U.S. government. Her book, Cultures of Growth: How the New Science of Mindset Can Transform Indidiuals, Teams, and Organizations (Simon & Shuster), has received positive reviews including being heralded as "Required reading for anyone who has wondered how to create a culture that supports innovation, risk-taking, integrity, and inclusion." 

Dr. Murphy is  an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She is also the founding director of the Summer Institute on Diversity at Stanford University’s Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences and the founder and CEO of the Equity Accelerator—a research and consulting organization that partners with colleges and other organizations to build equitable learning and working environments.