Rob is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa. He specializes in the study of shyness, social withdrawal, and social anxiety in childhood. He is also the director of the Pickering Centre for Research in Human Development. He has published hundreds of journal articles and book chapters, as well as several books, including his most recent ones Quiet at School and the Handbook of Solitude.

In this episode of the Mindspace podcast, Dr. Joe speaks with professor Robert Coplan.

They discussed: 

- The characteristics of shyness as a temperamental trait
- The extent to which shy children are vulnerable to mental health problems later in life and what interventions protect their development
- Recommendations to parents for best supporting shy children
- How parents should manage anxious adolescents’ academic performance anxiety and smartphone use