Richard Carrier | Arts and Humanities | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Phenomenological Research Awards

Dr. Richard Carrier | Arts and Humanities | Best Researcher Award 

Fellow at Westar Institute | United States

Dr. Richard Carrier is an accomplished historian, philosopher, and researcher specializing in the history and philosophy of science, Greco-Roman studies, With a strong academic foundation and a prolific body of work, he has advanced critical inquiry into ancient history while integrating modern approaches in philosophy and historical methodology. His contributions span teaching, research, and publications that connect classical traditions with contemporary intellectual debates. As a respected scholar and public intellectual, he has played a pivotal role in bridging academic research with broader audiences through lectures, publications, and global academic engagement.

Profile:

Orcid | Google Scholar

Education:

Dr. Richard Carrier completed his higher education with distinction, earning advanced degrees in ancient history from Columbia University, including a doctorate focused on attitudes toward natural philosophers in the early Roman Empire. His earlier academic journey began at the University of California, Berkeley, where he obtained his undergraduate degree with the highest honors, majoring in history and minoring in classical civilization. He also pursued foundational studies at Ventura College before advancing to graduate and doctoral research. His education reflects deep training in classical languages, philosophy, religion, and historiography, equipping him with the tools to investigate historical, philosophical, and cultural contexts with scholarly rigor.

Experience:

Dr. Richard Carrier has built an extensive career in both teaching and research. His experience includes lecturing for universities, academic organizations, and global learning platforms, where he taught philosophy, critical thinking, and historical methods. He has served as a librarian’s assistant in electronic texts at Columbia University and UC Berkeley, supporting digital research and text analysis. His teaching spans courses on Greco-Roman history, philosophy, and historiography, along with modern approaches to naturalism. His research experience includes examining manuscripts, papyri, and artifacts in major institutions such as the British Museum, as well as engaging with digital scholarly resources and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Research Interest:

Dr. Richard Carrier’s research interests lie at the intersection of ancient history, philosophy, and the origins of religious thought. He focuses on Greco-Roman philosophy, historiography, and the philosophy of history, while also advancing studies in the history and philosophy of science. His scholarship emphasizes naturalism, epistemology, and metaethics, with a critical approach to examining the origins of Christianity through historical reasoning and comparative analysis. His innovative work applies Bayesian reasoning and modern critical methods to the study of ancient texts, enabling a more rigorous understanding of historical probability, the nature of evidence, and the interpretation of cultural and philosophical traditions.

Awards and Honors:

Dr. Richard Carrier has received numerous honors that reflect his academic excellence and leadership. He has been awarded prestigious fellowships, including Columbia University’s President’s Fellowship and the Catherine S. Sims Fellowship, in recognition of his scholarly achievements. Earlier, he earned the Richard Hofstadter Fellowship and multiple distinctions from the University of California, Berkeley, including the Highest Distinction in General Scholarship. His academic journey also reflects recognition for excellence in science and leadership from Ventura College and the U.S. Coast Guard, where he earned commendations, medals, and awards for both service and scholarly accomplishment, demonstrating his versatile achievements across academia and professional service.

Publications:

Title: On the Historicity of Jesus
Citation: 87
Year of Publications: 2014

Title: Proving History: Bayes’s Theorem and the Quest for the Historical Jesus
Citation: 77
Year of Publications: 2012

Title: Sense and Goodness without God: A Defense of Metaphysical Naturalism
Citation: 51
Year of Publications: 2005

Title: The Prospect of a Christian Interpolation in Tacitus, Annals 15.44
Citation: 36
Year of Publications: 2014

Title: The Spiritual Body of Christ and the Legend of the Empty Tomb
Citation: 26
Year of Publications: 2005

Title: Test Your Scientific Literacy!
Citation: 26
Year of Publications: 2001

Title: Hitler’s Table Talk Troubling Finds
Citation: 20
Year of Publications: 2003

Conclusion:

Dr. Richard Carrier stands out as a distinguished scholar whose career exemplifies academic excellence, innovative research, and global impact. His expertise in ancient history and philosophy, combined with his critical application of modern analytical methods, has reshaped scholarly discussions on Greco-Roman thought, historiography, and the origins of Christianity. His contributions are not limited to academia but extend to public engagement, where he has fostered critical thinking and dialogue across diverse audiences. With his exceptional education, wide-ranging experience, prestigious awards, and significant publications, Dr. Carrier is highly deserving of recognition through this award nomination for his outstanding scholarly achievements.

Malik Walker | Arts and Humanities | Best Researcher Award 

Published on by Phenomenological Research Awards

Dr. Malik Walker | Arts and Humanities | Best Researcher Award 

Assistant Professor at CUNY Hunter College | United States

Malik J.M. Walker is a scholar of theology and religion whose work bridges Buddhist studies, urban theology, and interreligious dialogue. Serving as Associate Faculty at New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, he combines rigorous academic scholarship with community engagement and pastoral care. His academic focus examines the intersections of race, spirituality, and spatiality, offering new perspectives on theology in contemporary urban contexts. Walker’s contributions include both scholarly publications and practical initiatives in meditation, interfaith engagement, and social justice. With an interdisciplinary approach, he engages theological anthropology, American Zen Buddhism, and liberation theologies to foster deeper understanding across diverse communities.

Profile:

Orcid

Education:

Walker earned his Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Fordham University, where his dissertation, Saving Space: A Spatial Recasting of the Divine/Human Encounter & Cooperation for an Urban Theology, examined theology through the lens of spatiality and urban theory. His academic preparation includes an M.A.R. in Religion from Yale Divinity School, focusing on urban theology, and a B.A. in Theology from Xavier University of Louisiana. He also completed comprehensive examinations in theological anthropology, Islamic historical studies, and perspectives on theology and urbanity. This diverse educational background equips him with the theoretical and methodological tools to navigate religious discourse in pluralistic, urban environments.

Experience:

Walker’s professional career encompasses teaching, academic advising, and leadership roles at New York University, Hunter College, Union Theological Seminary, and Fordham University. At NYU, he serves as Senior Class Adviser and Co-Director of the GUIDE program, supporting student development and degree completion. His teaching spans topics such as apocalyptic literature, mysticism, religious justice, morality, and Buddhist polity. Prior roles include Senior Affiliate Buddhist Chaplain at NYU’s Center for the Global Spiritual Life, where he led meditation groups for students of color and developed pastoral care initiatives. He has also held program coordination roles in interfaith and STEM education contexts.

Research Interest:

Walker’s research interests span urban theology, American Zen Buddhism, liberation theology, and the theological implications of race and spatiality. He investigates how religious identity and practice intersect with urban cultural contexts, often through interdisciplinary dialogue with philosophy, sociology, and postcolonial theory. His work engages the theological anthropology of sin and salvation, the dynamics of religious consciousness in the New World, and the challenges of practicing Buddhism in multicultural and multi-religious environments. He is particularly interested in how theology can address systemic injustice, promote intercultural understanding, and transform communities through both scholarship and practice.

Award and Honors:

Walker has been recognized for his contributions to teaching, interfaith leadership, and scholarly engagement. His roles in advising and curriculum development at NYU demonstrate his commitment to academic excellence and student success. His leadership in the Soto Zen Buddhist Association of America, participation in international conferences, and involvement in community-focused meditation programs reflect his dedication to fostering interreligious understanding and public scholarship. Through his academic and pastoral work, he has advanced dialogue between faith traditions and promoted inclusive approaches to religious practice, earning respect across scholarly and spiritual communities.

Publication:

Title: Terraforming Religious Consciousness: Race as a Signifier in New World Religious Cosmogony
Citation: 1
Year of Publication: 2020

Title: Inviting the Esoteric into the Exoteric: Contemporary Challenges in American Zen Buddhism
Year of Publication: 2025

Title: Jazz Funerals and the Transcendental Politics of Struggle
Year of Publication: 2015

Title: Just Sit: Liberation as Abiding in an Urban Future
Year of Publication: 2015

Title: Moksha-Liberation: Buddhism and Blackness in Charles Johnson’s Oxherding Tale
Year of Publication: 2007

Conclusion:

Malik J. M. Walker stands out as a scholar who bridges rigorous theological research with public engagement and interfaith leadership. His work in urban theology and American Zen Buddhism addresses both academic debates and community realities, offering fresh insights into how religious traditions navigate modern challenges. Through his teaching, publications, and leadership, Walker cultivates critical dialogue, spiritual reflection, and inclusive community spaces. His contributions make him an exemplary candidate for awards recognizing scholarship, educational leadership, and social engagement, embodying the integration of intellectual depth, pedagogical innovation, and a commitment to justice and cross-cultural understanding.