Christopher Kavanagh

Researcher, University of Oxford/University of Hokkaido

Christopher Kavanagh is a post-doctoral researcher in cognitive anthropology at the University of Oxford, currently based in Japan. His research interests include East Asian religions, ritual behaviour, and the bonding effects of shared dysphoria.

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Written by Christopher Kavanagh

People in festive costumes. One man is shirtless, wearing a headscarf and holding a baby bottle, others wear wigs and robes.

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Social psychology

People are intensely loyal to groups that abuse newcomers. Why?

Christopher Kavanagh

Young children wearing green jackets queuing in a line indoors supervised by a person in black robes, with a traditional building in the background.

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Religion

Religion without belief

Most Japanese reject religious belief while embracing multiple forms of ritual practice. Are they religious or secular?

Christopher Kavanagh

A line of large stone statues known as Moai on Easter Island under a blue sky with some clouds in a dry, rocky landscape.

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Anthropology

Did Easter Island culture collapse? The answer is not simple

Christopher Kavanagh