Philip Fernbach

Philip Fernbach is a Professor of Marketing at the Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder. As a cognitive scientist, he investigates how people think, applying insights to improve public discourse and decision-making in business contexts.

• PhD in Cognitive Science, Brown University (2010)
• BA in Philosophy, Williams College

His research bridges cognitive science and marketing, focusing on:

• Knowledge illusion and overconfidence
• Consumer financial decision-making
• Political polarization and cognitive biases
• Environmental policy cognition
• Causal reasoning in economic contexts

Recent publications span interdisciplinary themes in consumer psychology, financial literacy, and public understanding of science. Key article trends include:

• Investigating how knowledge overconfidence undermines consensus
• Analyzing simplicity perception in brand evaluation
• Exploring cognitive mechanisms behind conspiracy theories
• Studying information overload in financial products

Scientific Recognition:

• New York Times Editor’s Pick for co-authored book The Knowledge Illusion (2017)

Additional Roles:

• Co-Director, Center for Research on Consumer Financial Decision Making
• Affiliate, Institute of Cognitive Science
• External Advisory Board Member, McKinsey & Company

He teaches data analytics and behavioral science to undergraduate and Masters students, while engaging in public communication through articles in major outlets and speaking engagements.