Paul Slovic

Paul Slovic is Professor of Psychology at the University of Oregon and co-founder of the Decision Science Research Institute. His groundbreaking work on risk perception and humanitarian decision-making earned him the 2022 Bower Award for Achievement in Science. Slovic's research examines why societies systematically fail to respond to mass tragedies through concepts like 'psychic numbing' and the 'arithmetic of compassion'.

Education includes a PhD from Stanford University and postdoctoral training at the Oregon Research Institute.

Research focuses on:

• Cognitive biases in risk assessment and humanitarian aid
• Psychic numbing in genocide response
• Compassion collapse in charitable giving
• Decision-making under uncertainty

Recent publications demonstrate methodological innovation in measuring conspiracy beliefs (5-item scale validation) and ideological influences on health behaviors. Article clusters analyze risk perception (40%), decision processes (30%), humanitarian psychology (20%), and methodological advances (10%).

Major scientific recognitions:

• Franklin Institute Bower Award (2022)
• Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award (APA)
• Elected AAAS Fellow

Doctoral mentorship has produced leaders in judgment/decision-making fields like Ellen Peters (Knight Chair at UO). Grant leadership includes NSF funding for risk communication in climate negotiations and nuclear policy.

Leads the Decision Research Lab, collaborating with international agencies on disaster response frameworks and genocide prevention strategies.