Barbara A. Spellman

Barbara A. Spellman is a Professor of Law and Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia. She holds dual appointments in the School of Law and the Department of Psychology. Her research focuses on the intersection of psychology and law, including judicial reasoning, forensics, and the replication crisis in science. Spellman earned her J.D. from NYU School of Law and a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from UCLA. She has authored numerous publications, including the influential book The Psychological Foundations of Evidence Law (2016) with Michael Saks. She has been recognized with awards such as the Leadership Award from Women in Cognitive Science and is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Her teaching includes courses on psychology for lawyers and empirical methods in law. Spellman has held visiting professorships at institutions like UCLA and Columbia University. Her work frequently addresses challenges in forensic science communication, legal decision-making, and improving scientific rigor. She has contributed to national committees on intelligence analysis and serves on editorial boards for journals like Perspectives on Psychological Science.

Key research themes include the cognitive foundations of legal evidence, the role of counterfactual reasoning in law, and the reform of scientific practices. Spellman’s interdisciplinary approach bridges legal theory with psychological insights, emphasizing practical applications in judicial and policy contexts.