The Department of Psychology is thrilled to welcome Dr. Yukun Yu as a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Developmental area.
Can you briefly share your academic and professional background that led you to the Department of Psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?
I came to Illinois as a grad student and worked with Dr. Cindy Fisher in the developmental area. Along the way, I gained a lot of teaching experience as a TA for several developmental psychology courses. I found that I really enjoyed teaching and getting to know undergrad students, both in the classroom and in my lab. When the opportunity came to become a Visiting Assistant Professor and take on more courses, it felt like a natural next step to keep building my teaching skills and stay in the wonderful community here in the Psychology Department.
Looking ahead, what do you hope to achieve during your time at UIUC's Department of Psychology? Are there any long-term goals you're aiming for?
I’m looking forward to my classes this year and to meeting new students. I’m excited about developing my own course and trying out new ways to make the material engaging and accessible. Looking further ahead, I hope to continue teaching in a way that has a meaningful impact on students, and eventually to secure a tenure-track position that allows me to keep growing as both a teacher and a researcher.
On a personal note, what do you enjoy doing outside of your academic and professional life? Any hobbies, interests, or experiences you'd like to share?
Yoga is my go-to way to relax and de-stress. I also really enjoy reading, and I try to make time for it every day no matter how busy things get. Another hobby of mine is taking instant photos. I like using my Polaroids to capture everyday moments. Most of my photos these days are of my cat, Lola, who makes a very patient (and sometimes not-so-patient) model.
