What is all of this about?
My name is Tommy Coleman and I am an incoming research psychology PhD student at Coventry University in the United Kingdom—that is, if I can get there! Only hours before successfully defending my Master's thesis last week (June 30th), I received notice that I had been awarded a PhD studentship (course funding) and scholarship (stipend) to begin my studies under the direction of Drs. Miguel Farias and Jonathan Jong, as part of the Belief, Brain and Behaviour research group at Coventry, beginning September 1st. I am ecstatic, this is a real dream come true, however, as a foreign student I still have to pay several thousand dollars (pounds) more than my studentship will cover. I am planning on using my scholarship stipend to pay the difference, but this leaves me with almost no money for basic living expenses. I am hoping to raise $10,000 before August 31st to cover my move to the UK and the first six months of living expenses, after which I will be able to supplement my income through other research opportunities.

Welcome to your atypical investment:
Between ages 13 and 26, I woke up in my fair share of jail cells, hospital beds, drug rehabilitation centers, and wrecked cars. But…how many life-long junkie-drug abusers do you know who go from a jail cell to a PhD program in only 5 years? Add me to your shortlist—you’re investing in someone who can overcome the odds—with a little help from my friends.

·      Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude in psychology, May 2014 (University of Tennessee at Chattanooga)

·      Master of Science, research psychology, Aug 2016 (University of Tennessee at Chattanooga)

·      Assistant Editor, Secularism & Nonreligion journal

·      Managing Editor, The Religious Studies Project

·      For a full list of publications in academic journals, books, and conference presentations, see https://utc.academia.edu/TommyColeman

 
Since 2011 my research has focused primarily on atheism and the nonreligious. Using the methods of the social sciences, research by my colleagues and I have addressed empirical topics such as “are all atheists the same,” and “how do atheists find meaning in life with no god? ” My thesis research addressed the topic “Do atheists have bad social-cognitive skills?” and my theoretical work clarifies issues such as “do atheists implicitly believe in god?” and ways to compare theist and atheist worldviews. These questions may appear funny to you and me (e.g., of course all atheists aren’t the same!), but they are serious topics of inquiry within the social sciences. In donating to my PhD start-up fund, you’re not just investing in me, your investing in social scientific research on an often neglected topic (atheism).

Estimated PhD start-up expenses in US $:

1-bedroom apartment (6 months’ rent plus fees) - $5,484
6 months of utilities - $1,394
6 months public transportation - $392
One-way ticket to the UK (end of August) - $1,500
Two-way ticket UK-USA (presenting atheism research at a conference, end of Oct.) - $840
Shipping 350lbs. Of books by Media mail - $190
Cheap craigslist furnishings - $200
Total
$10,000
 
Plane ticket prices qouted as of July 4th; Per month estimates (in BP £): http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/city_result.jsp?country=United+Kingdom&city=Coventry

I've had an interesting and tumultuous life and if you'd like to know more please contact me via this Gofundme page.

Thanks for considering helping!



For more on my research and work:

Co-Editor of a special journal issue on atheism and secularity (open access, take a peek!) Science, Religion & Culture

Towards a psychology of nonreligion within a psychology of religion? (With David F. Bradley & Alex W. Uzdavines) American Psychological Association Division 36, Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality Newsletter

Religion as a cognitively natural universal: “religion” and “science” aren’t that interesting. Bulletin for the Study of Religion blog.

Theory & Religion Series: Ann Taves’ Religious Experience Reconsidered in the study of atheism. Bulletin for the Study of Religion blog.

Implicit Frameworks: The Tyrannical Hegemonic Discourse. The Nonreligion & Secularity Research Network Official Blog, Methods and Methodologies.

The 2014 SSSR Annual Meeting: A Testament to the Growing Popularity and Importance of Secularism and Nonreligion Research. The Nonreligion & Secularity Research Network Official Blog