Dr Christopher Kavanagh
Dr Christopher Kavanagh's background is in cross-cultural research, focusing on ritual psychology, group bonding through ritual experiences, and the impact of transformative events on autobiographical identity.
Dr Christopher Kavanagh's background is in cross-cultural research, focusing on ritual psychology, group bonding through ritual experiences, and the impact of transformative events on autobiographical identity. He also has a strong interest in the psychological dynamics of modern conspiracy communities, online gurus, and charismatic leaders. His research has employed mixed methods from anthropology and psychology to explore the mechanisms and transformative power of collective rituals, as well as exploring the distinctive features of distinctive cultural and religious environments.
He has worked on several large-scale, international projects at the CSSC exploring rituals worldwide, such as the ESRC Ritual, Community, & Conflict project (2011-2017) and the ERC Ritual Modes project (2018-2020). And most recently, served as a senior researcher and coordinator for the Freedom of Religion or Belief Network (FoRBLN), also at the CSSC. This cross-cultural project, backed by an international consortium of churches and human rights organizations, aimed to promote global freedom of religion and belief while encouraging barrier-crossing leadership in post-conflict societies.