Cognition and Culture

Overview: The Institute of Cognition and Culture (ICC) is one of the world's first centres for research in the cognitive science of culture. This is a burgeoning interdisciplinary field in which scholars seek to explain patterns of cultural stability and variation utilising theories and methods of the cognitive and evolutionary sciences. We offer a unique programme of Doctoral research that is based on the recognition of a need to cross traditional disciplinary divisions in the scientific study of cultural phenomena. Our training in a wide range of research methods and theoretical approaches equips students for rigorous scientific investigation, enabling them to generate significant discoveries that are of relevance to potentially many diverse fields of academic scholarship on cognition and culture. Research Strengths The primary topical research interests at the Institute include: Religious beliefs and ritual actions Secularism and atheism Social cognition (moral psychology, intergroup conflict, etc.) Agency The production, development and investigation of scientific hypotheses in each of these domains of human culture are grounded in the body of knowledge emerging from the evolutionary and cognitive sciences. Share this course Share " The ICC offered a dynamic and supportive environment to explore my research interests, create successful research collaborations with staff and fellow students, and gain valuable teaching experience. My PhD allowed me to pursue a career in academia, and since graduating I have held postdoctoral positions at other leading UK universities." Dr Lauren Swiney
PHD 2014