The Rani Sivanathan Graduate Scholarship

Where is your hometown?

My hometown is Oakville, Ontario, where I made many cherished memories with friends and attended both junior high and high school. During that time, I was involved in a range of activities, including figure skating, tennis and volleyball. My close second hometown is Seoul, South Korea, where I spent my elementary school years and formed lifelong friendships. I am very grateful to have two wonderful places to call home. Growing up in both the West and the East has shaped my worldview in meaningful ways. It taught me to view the world not as black-and-white, but as nuanced, where perspectives and opinions may differ and still be valid within their sociocultural contexts, leading me to recognize the importance of understanding those contexts more deeply.

Why did you choose Smith School of Business/Queen’s?

I chose Smith School of Business at Queen’s University because of the exceptional scholars who would both teach me in classrooms and mentor me outside of them. I wanted to learn how to conduct rigorous research, write high-quality manuscripts and think creatively under the guidance of faculty with distinguished publication records and scholarly work. Since joining Smith, I have received precisely the training I had hoped for. I have been consistently challenged to refine my thinking, question my assumptions and uphold rigorous methodological standards in my research.

What has been your favourite experience at Queen’s so far?

My favourite experiences at Queen’s haves taken place in the classroom! I have been fortunate to build amazing friendships with peers while studying together, supporting one another through challenges and sharing in both the difficulties and joys of graduate study. I have especially valued the open and thoughtful discussions encouraged by our professors. Theoretical discourse and debates in class have challenged my assumptions and pushed me to examine the same phenomena through multiple lenses. Engaging with such bright minds in the room has been enjoyable, intellectually stimulating and influential for my growth as a scholar.

What are your aspirations after graduation?

After completing my MSc, I hope to continue my academic journey through a PhD program. My research focuses on how individual identities, such as socioeconomic status and gender, shape workplace experiences and evaluations. I am particularly interested in uncovering the implicit stereotypes and assumptions that influence how individuals are perceived and treated in organizational settings. Ultimately, my goal is to uncover these underlying mechanisms to contribute to building organizations that are more objective, inclusive, and effective, where systems of human interaction and evaluation are guided by valid measures and objective evidence rather than unconscious bias.

What is one interesting fact about you?

I have a brother who is ten years younger than I am, and I took on an active role in helping raise him from infancy, which shaped my sense of responsibility and care for others.

Research Overview

Lucy’s research examines how implicit stereotypes related to socioeconomic status (SES) and gender shape competence expectations, leadership evaluations and leadership behaviour. Drawing on Expectation States Theory, she explores how individuals from higher SES backgrounds and men are often granted higher initial competence expectations, thereby receiving more developmental opportunities that ultimately reinforce their elevated status.

Building on this framework, Lucy investigates how leaders’ SES and gender influence followers’ appraisal of forbearance leadership, a leadership style characterized by intentional restraint and deliberate non-intervention to foster follower development. Furthermore, she examines whether followers’ SES and gender shape leaders’ behaviour, specifically testing whether leaders are more likely to exercise forbearance toward high-status followers due to biased competence perceptions. She is currently using experimental methods to establish causal inferences and plans to conduct field studies to enhance real-world relevance in understanding how implicit biases shape leadership behaviour and evaluation.

Where is your hometown?

I always find this question surprisingly tricky to answer! I was born in Cairo, Egypt, where I spent my childhood, but I grew up in Oakville, Ontario. I still have family in both places, which makes both feel like home.

Why did you choose Smith School of Business/Queen’s?

I completed my undergraduate degree in Commerce at Smith School of Business, graduating last spring. I chose to return for my Master’s because of the school’s exceptional academics and supportive community. During my undergrad, I always felt encouraged by faculty, staff, and peers alike, and I knew that same welcoming environment would continue into my graduate studies. The teaching here is both rigorous and insightful, providing a strong foundation for growth. Beyond the classroom, the collaborative culture at Smith fosters meaningful connections and continuous learning, making it an ideal place to continue my education.

What has been your favourite experience at Queen’s so far?

This is such a tough question because I’ve had so many memorable experiences here. Academically, I think my favourite experience — one that’s still ongoing — has been the seminar series. They’ve been incredibly engaging and educational, and it’s been amazing to learn about research from outside Smith, and even beyond the business school world. On the non-academic side, one of my favourite experiences has to be our consortium week. I was so nervous going into the program, not knowing what to expect, but meeting the rest of the cohort in such a relaxed, casual setting really put me at ease from day one.

What are your aspirations after graduation?

After graduation, I hope to pursue a career in academia. Throughout my MSc, I’ve had the opportunity to engage deeply with the research process, and it’s opened my eyes to a side of academia I hadn’t fully appreciated before. I’ve grown to love the curiosity-driven nature of research, asking meaningful questions, exploring complex ideas, and contributing to a broader understanding of important topics. This experience has solidified my desire to continue along this path, with the hope of making a lasting impact in the field.

What is one interesting fact about you?

A fun fact about me is that I am fluent in 3 languages, English, French and Arabic! Also currently trying to learn Coptic — which is a dormant Afro-asiatic language!

Research Overview

The Impact of Zero-Sum Beliefs on Universal Healthcare Policy Support

Mariam’s research explores how intuitive beliefs shape perceptions of the world, even when lacking evidence. A key example is the zero-sum belief— the idea that one group’s gain comes at another’s loss. This mindset influences perceptions of success, fairness, and resource distribution. The study examines the impact of zero-sum thinking on support for universal healthcare. If viewed as a threat to personal access, universal healthcare may face opposition from those who hold zero-sum beliefs. By analyzing these cognitive frameworks, the research provides insights into public opinion and offers strategies for effectively framing redistributive policies in a polarized society.