Steven Barnes
ProfessorNeuroscientist
Canada
Steven J. Barnes is a professor of teaching in psychology at the University of British Columbia and founder and director of its Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience. He is also deputy co-lead of CREST.BD, a research network focused on the psychosocial dimensions of bipolar disorder, and co-author of the textbook Biopsychology. [1][2]
Career and work
Barnes earned both his MA and PhD in behavioural neuroscience from the University of British Columbia. He is now a professor of teaching in UBC’s Department of Psychology and founder and director of the university’s Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience. [1]
His work spans neuroscience education, student mental health, bipolar disorder, and digital learning technologies. He has received several teaching honours, including UBC’s Killam Teaching Prize and the 3M National Teaching Fellowship, and is a co-author of the textbook Biopsychology. [1]
What has been publicly discussed
- Barnes has publicly identified himself as living with Bipolar I disorder. In a 2020 World Bipolar Day discussion, he stated directly that he had the condition and said he speaks about it openly when teaching about psychiatric disorders and in other settings. [3]
- Barnes has said that bipolar disorder has had a major influence on both his personal life and career. He has described being less tolerant of stress than many people around him and, as a result, deliberately avoiding some higher-stress activities. [3]
- Barnes has said that medication alone was not enough for him and that he also needed to bring his lifestyle into balance. He has described maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, adjusting caffeine according to his mood, and using mood-tracking and self-management tools as strategies that have helped him. [3]
- Through his leadership at CREST.BD, Barnes has contributed to research and knowledge exchange that brings people with lived experience into the development of bipolar-disorder research and care. CREST.BD’s work includes involving people with bipolar disorder in identifying priorities and developing self-management resources. [1][2]
“Having bipolar disorder has had an immense impact on where I am and what I am doing.”
— Steven Barnes [3]
Sources and other resourcesExpand to view the sources used in this profile and resources to learn more.
Sources used for this profile
The following sources contain information that supports the claims made on this page.
University of British Columbia, Department of Psychology“Steven Barnes” Professional biography covering Barnes’s education, current academic roles, neuroscience-program leadership, CREST.BD role, publications, and teaching awards.
CREST.BD“Steven Barnes” Biography covering Barnes’s bipolar-disorder research, academic work, lived-experience involvement, and CREST.BD leadership.
CREST.BD / Reddit“We are bipolar disorder experts and scientists, ask us anything for World Bipolar Day!” Public question-and-answer session in which Barnes identifies himself as having Bipolar I disorder and discusses stress, career choices, treatment, lifestyle management, and disclosure.
View all 4 sources
CREST.BD“Ask Us Anything on World Bipolar Day!” CREST.BD biography in which Barnes describes himself as someone who lives well with bipolar disorder.
Learn more
Recommended books and other resources about Steven Barnes and their experiences.
- “Dr. Steven Barnes”talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast
Contributor page collecting Barnes’s appearances and discussions about bipolar disorder, education, and mental health.
- “Interview with Dr. Barnes”Humans of UBC Psychology
Long-form interview about Barnes’s path into behavioural neuroscience, teaching, research, and academic work.