Speaker: Justin Barrett

Justin L. Barrett is Senior Researcher at the University of Oxford’s Centre for Anthropology and Mind and a lecturer in the Institute of Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology. He earned degrees in psychology from Calvin College (B.A.) and Cornell University (Ph.D) with an emphasis on cognitive and developmental psychology. He later served in the psychology faculties of Calvin College (1997-2000) and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and as a research fellow of the Institute for Social Research (2000-2002), in the Institute of Culture and Cognition.

From 2002 to 2006 Dr Barrett “retired” from the academic world to support his wife’s work in youth ministry with Young Life. During that time he published his book Why Would Anyone Believe in God? (AltaMira, 2004) presenting a scientific account for the prevalence of religious beliefs; and also served as International Coordinator of Experimental Research Programmes for the Institute of Cognition and Culture at Queens’ University Belfast.

Dr Barrett is a founding editor of the Journal of Cognition & Culture and is author of numerous articles and chapters concerning cognitive science of religion. His recent article, “Is the Spell Really Broken? Bio-psychological Explanations of Religion and Theistic Belief” (Theology & Science, 5, 57-72) discusses the implications of cognitive and evolutionary sciences of religion for theistic belief.

He has three major current projects: a book project titled “Born Believers” arguing that children’s minds are naturally receptive to theistic beliefs; a research project (with Prof. Robert Emmons) exploring adolescent spiritual fruit formation; and a programme (with Prof. Roger Trigg) to help cross-train humanities scholars in scientific research methods relevant to cognitive science of religion, and expand the dialogue between theology and cognitive science of religion.

Since 2006, Dr Barrett has lived in Oxford with his wife, son, and daughter.

Click here for Dr Barrett's web site