Prof (Research Professor) at the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, and Visiting Prof of Policy impact at Leeds Business School, University of Leeds.
Prof. Magda Osman is a cognitive psychologist by training, with specialisms in judgement, decision-making (basic and applied), human agency and control. She now works in the decision/behavioural sciences, focusing on the translation of science to policy, behavioural change interventions, models of complex decision-making, the status of knowledge and public understanding of science. Her applied research focuses on improved decision-making in clinical practice, risk assessment in crime/psychiatric units, food safety and human computer interaction with smart systems/products.
She has published three academic books, and authored over 150 articles in management, economics, philosophy, linguistics, engineering, computer science and cognitive science, as well as in psychology journals. Her research has been supported by several UK-based and international research councils (German Research Council – DFG, HK Research Council, EU, NSF and, in the UK, NIHR, ESRC, EPSRC, ARC, Research England and the Wellcome Trust).
She is currently a Professor in Basic and Applied Decision-making at CSaP (Centre for Science and Policy (opens in a new tab)), University of Cambridge and Visiting Professor of Policy Impact at Leeds Business School, University of Leeds. Magda is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA).
The ethos of her work has been to take a critical eye to well accepted views and challenge the status quo. As a result, her research interests cover a range of areas that include decision-making, learning, problem-solving, biases, risk and uncertainty, agency and control, and the unconscious. You can learn more about Magda here: https://magdaosman.com (opens in a new tab)
Explore the latest analytical tools and frameworks to create impactful, evidence-based policies that address today’s most complex challenges.
Unlock a powerful, evidence-based toolkit to tackle emerging risks and make future-focused decisions in times of rapid technological change.
Lead digital transformation in your organisation with advanced insight into AI opportunities and risks from world-leading academics. Create an expert-led AI strategy that aligns with your goals and drives innovation in your workforce.
ARTICLES
BBC Future: Does ‘nudge theory’ work after all? (August 2022) (opens in a new tab)
BBC Future: How unconscious forces control our actions (May 2021) (opens in a new tab)
Psychology Today Articles (opens in a new tab)
The Conversation Articles (opens in a new tab)
PUBLICATIONS
M. Osman, Future-Minded: The Psychology of Agency and Control (2014) (opens in a new tab)
W. De Neys & M. Osman, New Approaches in Reasoning Research (2013) (opens in a new tab)
M. Osman, Controlling Uncertainty: Decision Making and Learning in Complex Worlds (2011) (opens in a new tab)
LinkedIn 
Cambridge profile