About

Biography

I am Professor of Evolution and Behaviour at the University of Auckland and University College London.

My research explores the evolution of social behaviour in humans and other species, asking how cooperation can emerge when individuals are often tempted to cheat. This work has taken me from the baked dunes of the Kalahari Desert to the underwater communities of the Great Barrier Reef. Along the way, I’ve discovered just how much we have in common with other species, and what sets us apart. My work has been covered widely in the media, including the BBC, The Economist, The Guardian, LA Times, and The Times. You can find out more about my work here.

I also write and speak about cooperation, cognition, and human behaviour for public audiences. I write for media outlets, including The Guardian and the BBC, and regularly give public lectures and podcast interviews. A curated list of talks, articles, and interviews can be found here.

My first book, The Social Instinct, explores how cooperation created our world, and what humans have in common with other social species. My next book, The Thinking Animal, asks what other intelligence reveals about our own. It will be published in 2027.