• Baylor prof receives international honor for research on psychology of religion

    Dr. Wade Rowatt

    Every four years, the International Association for the Psychology of Religion (IAPR) chooses one scholar whose impact on the field is most deserving of their biggest honor. This year, a Baylor professor earned that honor.

    Dr. Wade Rowatt, a Baylor psychology since 1997, was honored with the 2017 IAPR Godin Prize for the Scientific Study of Religion. He rose to the top of what IAPR called a “fierce competition with several worthy candidates among the nominees” to earn the prestigious award. Rowatt’s research at Baylor has often focused on the psychology of religion, particularly the intersection of religion and prejudice.

    “It’s very affirming to receive this research award… Those of us who continue to work in the field are simply carrying the torch handed to us by our mentors, and we’re passing it on to the students we mentor,” Rowatt says.

    When Rowatt talks about mentorship, he’s talking about an area that’s personally meaningful, just like his research. He takes a mentorship approach to teaching his psychology students, and his efforts have paid off; numerous former students have gone on to become active in the field, and he was awarded a national mentoring award by the American Psychological Association in 2014.

    Along with the award, Rowatt received a cash prize and will present a lecture at the IAPR Conference next month in Norway.

    Sic ’em, Dr. Rowatt!