Distinguished Psychologist Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett to serve as 2026 Commencement Speaker

Warren Wilson College is proud to announce that Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, Ph.D., University Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Northeastern University and Chief Scientific Officer at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Center for Law, Brain & Behavior, will serve as the College’s 2026 Commencement Speaker. The ceremony is planned for May 9. 

A pioneering researcher in psychology and neuroscience, Dr. Barrett is widely recognized for her groundbreaking work on emotion in the brain. She is the author of Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain and How Emotions Are Made, and has published more than 285 peer-reviewed articles in leading scientific journals. Her work has been honored with numerous distinctions, including the NIH Director’s Pioneer Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Association for Psychological Science’s William James Award,  and the American Psychological Association’s Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award. Dr. Barrett is also a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Royal Society of Canada.

In addition to her scholarly work, Dr. Barrett is known for making complex science accessible to broad audiences through popular writing, media appearances, and a TED talk viewed more than eight million times. She previously held faculty positions at Boston College and Penn State University.

“We are honored to welcome Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett to Warren Wilson College,” said Damián Fernández, President of Warren Wilson College. “Her work challenges us to think deeply about the human mind, behavior, and connection—questions that resonate with our commitment to experiential learning, critical inquiry, and preparing graduates to engage thoughtfully with the world.”

Dr. Barrett earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Waterloo, completed a clinical internship at the University of Manitoba, and received a BSc in Psychology from the University of Toronto.

Warren Wilson College’s Commencement ceremony will celebrate the Class of 2026 and their accomplishments across academics, work, and community engagement. Additional event details will be announced in the coming months.