Cristine H. Legare

Cristine H. Legare is a Professor of Psychology and Director of the Center for Applied Cognitive Science (CACS) at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research focuses on understanding how the human mind facilitates cultural learning, transmission, and evolution, with a particular emphasis on public health, education, child development, and cognitive science. She leads interdisciplinary initiatives bridging biological, cognitive, and social sciences to address global challenges in health and education.

Her work examines cultural variation in cognitive development, including how rituals, explanations, and social interactions shape learning across ages and societies. Through partnerships like the Thinkery Connect museum-university collaboration, she designs interventions to enhance scientific thinking in informal learning environments. Additionally, her RISE Project in Bihar, India, explores ritual’s impact on healthcare provider behavior. Legare advocates for cross-cultural research equity, emphasizing diverse global participation in cognitive science.

Her articles highlight themes such as ritual efficacy, school quality’s impact on academic achievement, and the interplay between cultural norms and cognitive development. She integrates human-centered design with social science to improve global health interventions and educational outcomes, reflecting her commitment to applied cognitive science’s societal relevance.