In the Social Perception, Action and Motivation Lab [or SPAM Lab], we pioneer the scientific investigation of behavioral science and motivation. This work also aims to address polarization, addressing questions about the source of differences in judgment and behavior among groups of people. With an international team of scholars, writers, artists, and advocates, we uncover previously unknown strategies that increase, sustain, and direct people's efforts to meet their goals. We apply this investigation of motivational strategies to improving the conditions of underserved populations - those experiencing economic disadvantage, students who are the first to attend college, individuals working in fields where they are underrepresented, and people of racial and ethnic minorities facing bias and discrimination. We focus on issues including diversity in leadership, disparities in health, bias in the legal system, and safety in cyber behavior, among others.