Fernand Gobet

Fernand Gobet is a Research Professor at the Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Science, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), and a Professor of Psychology at the University of Roehampton. His research focuses on expertise acquisition, computational modeling (e.g., the CHREST architecture), and cognitive science applications in education, decision-making, and scientific discovery. He leads major projects like the ERC-funded GEMS initiative exploring algorithmic theory generation.

• Education: MA (1986) and PhD (1992) in Psychology from the University of Fribourg, Switzerland.
• Appointments: Held roles at Carnegie Mellon University, University of Nottingham, Brunel University, and the University of Liverpool before current positions.

Research Interests: Gobet investigates mechanisms underlying expertise development, including learning, memory, and attention in skilled individuals. He develops computational models to study cognitive processes like syntax acquisition and verb-marking errors. His work bridges disciplines such as AI, neuroscience, and philosophy, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding expertise transitions and scientific methodology.

Grants: Secured £1.8m (ERC Advanced Grant GEMS), £2.32m (LuCiD2), and £9m (LuCiD) from the ESRC, plus funding from the British Academy and Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Books: Authored Understanding Expertise (2015), The Psychology of Chess (2018), and co-edited Scientific Discovery in the Social Sciences (2019). Recent publications address computational scientific discovery and career transition expertise.

Key Projects: CHREST architecture, GEMS (genetic model evolution), and MOSAIC+ (language development modeling). Active in computational theory generation and interdisciplinary collaboration.