Professor Richard Wiseman

Richard Wiseman is Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire, where he has gained an international reputation for research into psychology of luck, self-help, magic, persuasion and illusion. He has published over 100 papers in peer-reviewed academic journals (including Nature and Psychological Bulletin).

Professor Wiseman’s books include: The Luck Factor, a comprehensive account of his research into the psychology of luck; Quirkology, on the curious psychology of everyday life, including laughter, lying, and love; and 59 Seconds, an investigation into the science of self-help and rapid change. His books have sold over 3 million copies and he regularly presents keynote talks to organisations across the world, including The Swiss Economic Forum, Google and Amazon.

Richard is a member of the Inner Magic Circle and has created psychology-based YouTube videos that have attracted over 500 million views. He also acts as a creative consultant, including work with Derren Brown, The Twilight Zone and the hit television show, Brain Games. Professor Wiseman’s research has featured in a large number of television programmes, including Horizon (BBC), Body Shock (Channel 4), 20/20 (ABC), and Dateline (NBC). He is often heard on BBC Radio 4, with regular appearances on Start The Week, Midweek, The Today Programme and The Infinite Monkey Cage. Feature articles about his research have been published in The Times, The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian, and his work made the front cover of New Yorker magazine.