Jean-Baptiste Quillien

Quillien’s dissertation’s work consisted in establishing a new model of cognition, the “Z” model. The “Z” model is a tool that dynamically describes the reasoning processes (modes of thinking and their respective cognitive flexibilities) at the different stages of our problem-solving stages. This model is intended to help better understand the questions, “How do we think?” and “How we can enhance our thinking?”

Life experience and common interests with his spouse about living abroad and navigating across cultures led him to research and develop professional development geared toward diversity, equity, and inclusion. They have successfully created a protocol and a card game to implement their training.

The relationship between the abstract construct the scientists want to measure (e.g. happiness) and the concrete operational definition, the chosen measure (e.g. questionnaire about happiness): this relationship is the keystone of empirical research. Dr. Quillien has extended experience in valid and reliable measures development, from survey design to behavioral data collection.

Quillien is currently involved in a research project aiming at improving people with disabilities’ quality of life in the Republic Democratic of Congo. The focus will be to evaluate the impact of a series of interventions and trainings in the Kisangani region. Did those interventions enhance common folks' awareness about the condition of those who live with disabilities?

On the research front, Quillien is also involved with four active research aiming at applying the “Z” model of cognition. Research topics such as linguistic relativity, environmental organization, emotional intelligence, and complex problem-solving are under scrutiny.

Quillien is currently developing new research around the construct of resilience.