Dr. Stephen Kent

Dr. Stephen Kent has been at the University of Alberta since 1986. He earned multiple degrees in religious studies and sociology, and received grants to study sects, cults, and new religions in Canada and the United States. As a result of Dr. Kent's award-winning research, he amassed one of North America's largest collections on alternative and sectarian religions.

Dr. Kent has studied and taught on a wide variety of religious organizations and practices, including controversial sects, cults and alternative religions, and the mental health issues related to sectarian leaders. Students under Dr. Kent's supervision have published on a wide range of topics, including evangelical youth and sexuality; Jim Jones's use of language; sects and family violence; Scientology's business management programs; terrorism; pseudo-science; the Children of God/The Family; and Heaven's Gate, among others.