Usman Afzali, PhD (Psyc), MD

Lecturer in Science of Religion

About


I serve as a lecturer in the Religious Studies Programme | Mātai Wairuataka at the University of Otago | Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, where I teach the Psychology of Religion, Religion and Human Behaviour, and Scientific Study of Religion. In addition, I am an Adjunct Senior Fellow in the School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing | Te Kura Mahi ā-Hirikapo at the University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha.

As a collaborator on the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study (NZAVS), my research centres on socio-political psychology, human flourishing, and wellbeing across religious and non-religious groups. I lead the Muslim Diversity Study (MDS)—a multi-city, longitudinal project established during my TRT-funded postdoctoral fellowship. While the fellowship has ended, the MDS continues under my leadership and addresses the underrepresentation of Muslims in NZAVS. At its peak, I coordinated a team of up to 30 research assistants, and I continue to work closely with collaborators to deepen our understanding of Muslim experiences in Aotearoa New Zealand.

More broadly, I come from a multidisciplinary background that integrates cognitive sciences, neuroscience, social psychology, and the scientific study of religion. Currently, My research explores how religious beliefs and practices shape human cognition, behaviour, and social dynamics. Methodologically, I draw on experimental, neuroscientific (EEG/ERP), longitudinal, cross-sectional, quantitative, and qualitative approaches to investigate complex questions about the human mind, behaviour, and society.

During my PhD, I received advanced training in cognitive psychology and neuroscience, with a particular focus on memory suppression and the use of event-related potentials (ERPs) to detect concealed knowledge—work that intersects with forensic neuroscience. My first postdoctoral fellowship expanded my expertise into contemplative neuroscience, where I investigated the neural correlates of meditative and religious practices.

My areas of research include the scientific study of religion, human flourishing, cognitive psychology, and socio-political psychology.

Fields of Research
  • Human flourishing
  • Psychology of religion
  • Contemplative neuroscience
  • Cognitive psychology: memory suppression
  • Forensic neuroscience
Current Projects
Research Supervision

Since 2021, I have developed a track record of effective leading and supervising research at different levels (PhD, Masters, and Honours).
Teaching

My experience encompasses teaching statistics, research methods, cognitive psychology, and neuroscience, consistently earning positive feedback each year. I take pride in my ability to embrace constructive criticism and continuously enhance my teaching approach. Currently, I teach the following courses:
Coding

I use GitHub with RStudio and Quarto to learn, produce, and share code. Occasionally, I use Matlab and Python too.

Career Goals

My immediate goal is to become a permanent (tenure-track) lecturer in the field of psychology. Psychology and science fascinate me a great deal and my lifelong goal is to conduct good science and contribute to open science.  

Contact



+64 3 479 3044


Religion Programme

University of Otago

85 Albany Street, North Dunedin, Dunedin, 9016 New Zealand


Curriculum vitae