Bio: (1938-) British sociologist. Eileen Barker received her Ph.D. from the London School of Economics and has been teaching at the same faculty ever since. In 1988, Barker founded and became president (a function she still performs) of the Information Network Focus on Religious Movements, which was established with the help of the British Government. In the period from 1991 to 1993. She was the president of the American Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, and today she is the editor of the journal Cultic Studies Review.

Barker's scientific focus is on the sociology of religion, especially with cults and new religious movements. In the book The Making of a Moonie: Brainwashing or Choice? (1984a), she presented the results of a seven-year empirical study of the cult of the Unification Church of the United States, whose members, in jargon, are called Moonies. Through the use of interviews (with members, and former members) and participatory observation, Barker concluded that members of the Unification Church were not victims of brainwashing, but made conscious decisions about joining this religious organization.

Main works

The Making of a Moonie: Brainwashing or Choice? (1984a);

Of Gods and Men: New Religious Movements in the West (1984b);

New Religious Movements: A Practical Introduction (1989);  

Sects, Cults and New Religions (2008);

The Centrality of Religion in Social Life (2010);

Revisionism and Diversification in New Religious Movements (2013).