معرفی
Dr. Ara Norenzayan is a Professor and Distinguished University Scholar at the University of British Columbia's Department of Psychology, within the Faculty of Arts. He holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Michigan (1999). His research focuses on cultural and religious diversity, cultural evolution, cooperation, supernatural beliefs, and human-nature interactions. He co-directs UBC’s Centre for Human Evolution, Cognition, and Culture (HECC).
Education:
- PhD in Psychology, University of Michigan, 1999
Research Interests: Cultural and religious diversity, moral systems, sacred values, and cognitive science. His work bridges evolutionary theory and cultural psychology, exploring how beliefs like 'Big Gods' influence cooperation and conflict. Recent research includes ecospirituality and environmental ethics.
Notable Awards:
- Distinguished University Scholar (2023)
- Royal Society of Canada Fellow (2020)
- Society for Personality and Social Psychology’s Daniel M. Wegner Prize (2017)
Advising & Grants: Advised numerous students (listed above). Grants include Cattell Sabbatical (2014–2015) and Killam Faculty Research Prize (2008). His lab explores religion, cognition, and cultural evolution, with global fieldwork.
Labs/Teams: Co-leads the Evolution of Religion and Morality Project, involving cross-cultural collaboration across 15 societies. His lab includes graduate students and alumni in global academic institutions.
