Michael Bang Petersen

Michael Bang Petersen is a Professor at the Department of Political Science, Aarhus University. His research bridges evolutionary psychology and political science, focusing on fundamental human cognitive mechanisms that shape political decision-making.

• Specializes in evolutionary political psychology
• Expert in behavioral immune system theory
• Pioneering work on physiological influences on welfare attitudes

His recent publications analyze:

• Evolutionary origins of leadership preferences
• Biological determinants of economic redistribution
• Emotional influences on policy perceptions
• Computational modeling of complex interactions

He leads or participates in major research initiatives including:

• BICLabs: Behavior, Interaction and Cognition Labs
• Computational Modeling of Complex Interactions (CMCI)
• Conflict and Democratization (CODE) research projects