Lab Director
Dr. Daphne X. Hou is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of South Florida. She earned her Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Purdue University, where her research focused on vocational interests and interest assessments.
Dr. Hou’s research centers on how people navigate careers and find fulfillment in the rapidly evolving world of work. Her interests span career development and vocational interests, with a focus on career choice, transitions, and adaptability. She is particularly interested in how emerging technologies—such as AI, automated interviews, and virtual reality—are reshaping employee selection, training, and development, and what these changes mean for the aging workforce and those in gig or precarious work arrangements. Additionally, Dr. Hou’s work involves methodological investigations and innovations as well as cross-cultural issues. At the heart of her work is a commitment to understanding how individuals can pursue meaningful careers while maintaining well-being in the face of technological, demographic, and economic change.
EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Industrial Organizational Psychology, Purdue University, 2025
M.S. in Human Resource Management, Purdue University, 2015
B.S. in Financial Planning, Purdue University, 2014