Ryan’s broad interests are in judgment & decision making and well-being. Specifically, he is interested in how people spend their time and money to improve their lives and the lives of others. In his recent work, he helped conduct the first randomized controlled trial to investigate the impact of large cash transfers for people experiencing homelessness. In another RCT using a diverse sample of participants from around the world, he has also explored how large cash donations can impact happiness and the spread of generosity. His prior projects have explored the relationship between happiness and meaning, the impact of technology on our social lives, and the effect of volunteering on well-being.