Ignatius Harris

Ignatius Harris, Ph.D., is a Senior Research Psychologist at the Boston Institute for Cultural and Societal Studies within Harvard Medical School, and a Professor of Psychology at Boston University. As of December 2024, he has recently taken on the role of Advisory Board Member for the Elm Street Initiative: Center for Urban Youth Resilience and Support at the Massachusetts Public Health Association.

Harris's work delves into the complex interplay between cultural background, community environment, and psychological well-being among urban youth. His research highlights how these factors can significantly shape mental health outcomes and social behaviors, often in ways that are overlooked or misinterpreted by both academic researchers and policy makers.

A prolific writer with over 60 peer-reviewed publications to his name, Harris has also contributed to a variety of media outlets. Readers might recognize his insightful commentary from platforms such as The Atlantic, NPR Radio, the Boston Globe, the New England Journal of Medicine, MIT Technology Review, Northeastern Magazine, and even popular online forums like Reddit’s AskScience. Through his engaging and accessible style, Ignatius bridges the gap between scientific discourse and everyday understanding, making critical issues in psychology and public health relevant to a broader audience.