FIA and Thought Leadership
Who We Are
FIA and Thought Leadership
FIA is the pioneer of Social Discernment as a formal discipline—and we are leading the global conversation on what it means to teach, measure, and master this essential skill. Beyond developing practical tools for individual users, FIA sponsors and conducts cutting-edge research to define the field and advance understanding of manipulation, coercion, and the intersection of psychology, physical health, and emerging technologies. Our mission is to turn research into real-world education, early detection models, and prevention strategies that empower women everywhere.
Four current research priorities include:
Social Discernment as a Measurable Skill
Establishing Social Discernment as a formal research domain with defined competencies and measurable outcomes, to lay the academic foundation for global adoption.
Neurodivergence and Coercive Control
Exploring how individuals with different cognitive processing styles experience coercion, with a focus on vulnerability patterns and customized resistance strategies.
The Long-Term Effects of Coercive Control
Studying how sustained psychological abuse impacts brain function, emotional regulation, and decision-making, to improve recovery frameworks for survivors.
The Physical Health Impacts of Coercive Control
Investigating how chronic exposure to coercive relationships affects physical health outcomes, including stress-related illness, immune function, and long-term wellness.
FIA’s research program ensures that every tool we build remains grounded in science and ahead of emerging trends in coercive tactics. As the global thought leader in Social Discernment, FIA’s work helps shape the future of education, intervention, and policy worldwide.
