About the Institute

The leadership of the Institute for the Biocultural Study of Religion (IBCSR) has an immodest vision for transforming current and future religion-science interactions, a transformation powered by the clarity of its ideas and the quality of its research. Our ultimate aim is to contribute to a revolution in the cultural understanding of religion through rigorous research-based knowledge of its nature and functions in individuals and groups.

Fundamental Identity

IBCSR is the branch of the Center for Mind and Culture that conducts non-partisan research focused on the scientific study of religion, combining:

• the sciences of brains and bodies (e.g. neuroscience, cognitive psychology, evolutionary biology, medicine),
• the sciences of culture (e.g. sociology, anthropology, political economy, history), and
• the computational sciences (e.g. modeling and simulation, semantic network analysis, machine learning, analysis of massive datasets).

Mission

IBCSR's mission is directly related to the mission of the wider CMAC enterprise.

• Research: IBCSR aims to conduct leading-edge research into the biological and cultural foundations and functions of religion.
• Training: IBCSR aims to train researchers in the bio-cultural study of religion at the very highest level.
• Outreach: IBCSR aims to reach out to researchers, scholars, and the general public to build professional networks, to share information about the bio-cultural study of religion, to guide effective public policy and medical care, and to deepen the public understanding of religion and spirituality.

Core Values

CMAC's core values are those of IBCSR as well, and include the following:

• upholding the highest intellectual standards in all phases of our work;
• acting ethically toward our business partners and funding sources;
• maintaining neutrality regarding the ideological promotion or critique of religious traditions, faith communities, and political outlooks;
• remaining institutionally agile and creative; and
• maximizing efficiency and productivity by optimizing infrastructure and overhead.

History

The Institute for the Biocultural Study of Religion was founded by neuroscientist Patrick McNamara and philosopher of religion Wesley J. Wildman. After years of broadening their research, training, and outreach work, the Institute was repositioned as one of several branches of the Center for Mind and Culture in 2017. The Center is a nonprofit corporation under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as of 2007. As of August 20, 2007, the Center is a public charity with United States federal tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to the Center or any of its Institutes are tax deductible.

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