Dr. Tanya Luhrmann

Professor

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Biography

Tanya Marie Luhrmann is the Albert Ray Lang Professor of Anthropology at Stanford University, with a courtesy appointment in Psychology. Her work focuses on experiences at the edge of sanity, studying voices, visions, and the supernatural. Luhrmann has conducted ethnographic research on homeless women with psychosis in Chicago and has engaged with individuals in Chennai and Accra who hear voices. Her research extends to fieldwork with evangelical Christians seeking to hear God's voice and Zoroastrians who create mystical faith through practice. Combining ethnographic and experimental methods, she explores how unusual sensory experiences are shaped by social and psychological factors. Her notable works include 'God Talks Back,' which received recognition as a New York Times Notable Book and has published over thirty OpEds. Luhrmann has received numerous awards including the Grawemeyer Prize for Religion and is a fellow of several prestigious societies. Her current projects include the Mind Spirit project, a comparative interdisciplinary initiative funded by Templeton. Luhrmann is dedicated to understanding how perceptions of the mind influence interpretations of spiritual and supernatural experiences across diverse cultural contexts.

Research Interests

Courses

ANTHRO 186 ANTHRO 286 HUMBIO 146 PSYC 286 ANTHRO 118 PSYCH 118A RELIGST 118X ANTHRO 301 ANTHRO 340 ANTHRO 443 BIOS 414 ANTHRO 454 ANTHRO 96 ANTHRO 451 MTL 398 ANTHRO 452 ANTHRO 440 ANTHRO 95B ANTHRO 97 ANTHRO 441 MED 370 ANTHRO 455 ANTHRO 401B ANTHRO 401A MTL 399 ANTHRO 450 ANTHRO 95 URBANST 199 ANTHRO 400 ANTHRO 348C ANTHRO 300 ANTHRO 90B

Requirements for Stanford University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:26
Reading
Required:26
Writing
Required:26
Speaking
Required:26
Total
Required:100
GRE General
Verbal
Required:160
Quantitative
Required:165
Analytical Writing
Required:4.5
Overall
Required:4.5
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree from an accredited institution Strong background in mathematics and programming
Application Checklist
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Official transcripts
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

The Computer Science department emphasizes research potential. GRE General is currently optional but recommended for some tracks.