Bruce Hood

Professor Bruce Hood is a Professor of Developmental Psychology in Society at the University of Bristol. He is renowned for his research on cognitive development, supernatural beliefs, and the psychology of ownership. A former Royal Institution Christmas Lecturer, he founded Speakezee, the world’s largest expert speaker network. His career includes roles as a research fellow at Cambridge University and University College London, visiting scientist at MIT, and faculty member at Harvard.

Education: Holds a PhD and was honored with a Doctor of Science degree in 2019. His academic leadership includes presidency of the Psychology Section of the British Science Association.

Research focuses on cognitive development, including the origins of supernatural beliefs and the science of happiness. He has authored four popular books, including Possessed: Why We Want More than We Need and a widely used psychology textbook. His media work includes BBC documentaries, appearances in films narrated by Jeff Bridges, and public speaking engagements.

Award-winning scholar with distinctions from major psychological societies, he bridges academia and public engagement through writing, TV, and initiatives like Speakezee.