Dr. Susan Blackmore is a British psychologist, researcher, and author internationally recognized for her groundbreaking work on consciousness, memetics, and the scientific investigation of extraordinary human experiences. She holds degrees in psychology and physiology from Oxford University and earned her Ph.D. in parapsychology from the University of Surrey. Early in her career, she conducted extensive research on out-of-body experiences, near-death experiences, and other paranormal phenomena.

Although she began as a believer in the paranormal, Dr. Blackmore’s rigorous research led her to reject pseudoscientific explanations and embrace a skeptical, science-based approach. This shift marked the beginning of her career as one of the most influential scientific voices questioning the nature of consciousness and the self.

She is the author of several acclaimed books, including The Meme Machine, which popularized the idea of memes as replicators of culture, and Consciousness: An Introduction, a widely used textbook in psychology and neuroscience programs worldwide. Her work often explores the intersection of science and introspection, blending academic rigor with insights from her decades-long practice of Zen meditation.

Currently a Visiting Professor at the University of Plymouth, Dr. Blackmore continues to write, lecture, and speak publicly about consciousness, free will, and the illusion of a stable, unified self. Through her books, media appearances, and academic contributions, she has helped redefine how we understand the mind—and what it means to be human.