Valerie Purdie-Vaughns is the founder and director of the Laboratory for Intergroup Relations and the Social Mind at Columbia University. She is an associate professor in the department of psychology. Dr. Purdie-Vaughns conducts research on bias in schools and workplaces, and the consequences of bias on members of diverse groups. She has authored numerous publications that have appeared in journals such as Science and Psychological Science. She was been awarded grants from the National Science Foundation, the Russell Sage Foundation, the Spencer Foundation, and the William T. Grant Foundation. In 2014, she was awarded the Columbia University Lenfest Award, the most distinguished university award for teaching and mentoring.