The Psychology of Global Crises and Crisis Politics

“This is a fascinating read on an extremely relevant topic. Outstanding scholars from around the world explore human life in times of the COVID-19 pandemic and engage with contemporary crises and the possibilities of forming viable futures. The book demonstrates the potential of a psychology that moves out of the laboratory and turns to the problems people face in their everyday world – relevant not only to psychologists but for scholars across the social and human sciences.”

– Ernst Schraube, Professor of Psychology, Roskilde University, Denmark


This edited volume brings together some of the most prominent scholars in the fields of theoretical, critical, and political psychology to examine crisis phenomena. The book investigates the role of psychology as a science in times of crisis, discusses how socio-political change affects the discipline and profession, and renders psychological interventions as forms of political action.


The authors examine how notions of crisis and the interpretation of crisis scenarios are heavily intertwined with governmental and state interests. Seeking to disentangle individual subjectivity, subjectification, and science as forms of politics, the volume works toward an explicit goal to decolonize psychology. The chapters elaborate on the importance of the psychological sciences in times of crisis and the role of psychologists as practitioners. Ultimately, the diverse contributions underline the connection of scientific theory, practice, and politics.


Interdisciplinary in scope and wide-ranging in its perspectives, this timely work will appeal to students and scholars of theoretical and political psychology, critical psychology, and cultural studies.




Irene Strasser is Assistant Professor at the American University in Cairo, Egypt. Her research focuses on lifespan development and cultural psychology with an emphasis on adult development and aging. Her work is informed by critical gerontological perspectives, social justice studies, and qualitative approaches.

Martin Dege is Assistant Professor of Narrative Inquiry at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, USA. His research investigates how crisis experiences shape our everyday lives and the narratives we tell. He is also interested in the history of psychology as a discipline.