Dr. Nathaniel Barr

Nathaniel Barr is a Professor of Creativity and Creative Thinking, specializing in cognitive psychology. Prior to joining Sheridan, he earned his BA, MA, and PhD, and held a postdoctoral fellowship in the Psychology Department at the University of Waterloo.

A recipient of a number of research awards, grants, and scholarships, Nathaniel has published scientific articles, book chapters, technical reports, and popular press articles in diverse areas. Topics include the psychology of creativity, human reason in the Anthropocene, belief, the relation between grit and mind wandering, the intersection of thinking and technology, currency authentication, and how best to align artificial and human intelligence in the workforce. He and his co-authors were awarded the 2016 Ig Nobel Peace Prize for their paper, On the reception and detection of pseudo-profound bullshit. Nathaniel’s work has been covered extensively in the media, including Scientific American, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal, and he frequently acts as an expert commentator for print, radio, and television.

An award winning lecturer, Nathaniel has taught courses on creativity, psychology, cognition, memory, and neuroscience. At Sheridan College, his primary focus is teaching courses within the Board Undergraduate Certificate in Creativity and Creative Problem Solving, which aims to provide “an opportunity for every degree student to gain a deliberate set of 21st century creative thinking skills and creative problem solving competencies”.

In addition to his academic role, Nathaniel is an active consultant and speaker. He often delivers talks and workshops to diverse audiences on the nature of our minds and how to make the most of them. His speaking draws on his research, teaching, and consulting expertise on human cognition and behavioural science, while weaving in personal experiences and storytelling. Recurrent themes include connecting the causes of and potential solutions to global challenges in the Anthropocene to human reason and creativity, and how understanding the way people think can improve your memory, attention, reasoning, and creativity.

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/barrnathaniel?lang=en
• LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/nathaniel-barr-0ab38a114
• Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=j_uhtOIAAAAJ&hl=en