Barry Beyerstein

Barry Lane Beyerstein
Born(1947-05-19)May 19, 1947
DiedJune 25, 2007(2007-06-25) (aged 60)
NationalityCanadian
EducationPh.D., University of California, Berkeley (1973)
OccupationUniversity professor
SpouseSusan Beyerstein
ChildrenLindsay Beyerstein, Loren Beyerstein
Parent(s)Christine Beyerstein and Hilliard Beyerstein

Barry L Beyerstein (May 19, 1947 – June 25, 2007) was a scientific skeptic and professor of psychology at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia. Beyerstein's research explored brain mechanisms of perception and consciousness, the effects of drugs on the brain and mind, sense of smell and its lesser-known contributions to human cognition and emotion. He was founder and chair of the BC Skeptics Society, a Fellow and member of the Executive Council of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP), now known as the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. Associate editor of the Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine Journal as well as a contributor to Skeptical Inquirer,[1] Beyerstein was one of the original faculty of CSICOP's Skeptic's Toolbox.[2] Beyerstein was a co-founder of the Canadians for Rational Health Policy and a member of the advisory board of the Drug Policy Foundation of Washington D.C. He was a founding board member of the Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy and contributed to the International Journal of Drug Policy. According to long-time friend James Alcock, Beyerstein once addressed the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health during discussions leading up to the passage of the Controlled Substances Act".[3] Along with his brother Dale, Barry was active in the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association.[1]

Skeptic's Toolbox regular Ben Baumgartner (far right) presents the faculty with Toolbox hats. From left Wallace Sampson, James Alcock, Ray Hyman and Barry Beyerstein. August 2005
  1. ^ a b Alcock, James (November–December 2007). "Tributes to Barry Beyerstein, Champion of Critical Thinking, Skeptical Inquiry". Skeptical Inquirer. 31 (6): 8–9.
  2. ^ Ray Hyman – Honorary Degree Recipient, Vancouver, BC, Canada: Simon Fraser University, October 4, 2007, archived from the original on September 30, 2008, retrieved July 27, 2009
  3. ^ "Canadians for Rational Health Policy". Archived from the original on 2015-05-30. Retrieved 2012-06-05.