I am a cognitive scientist.

What sort of creatures are we? Humans are like other apes in many ways, but whatever differences do exist, they combine to generate the social and cultural systems that shapes our lives: Languages, symbols, technologies, institutions, democracies and more. How and why does this happen? Why are we like this? Can we do it better? These are the big questions that shape my thinking and my writing.

I have particular expertise on the evolutionary and cognitive foundations of language, mind and culture, and I am an elected fellow of the Human Behaviour & Evolution Society.

I write a Substack, Ideas Big & Simple. Read and subscribe here.

I post on Bluesky and I list my film watching on Letterboxd.

I am affiliated with the Department of Cognitive Science, Central European University. Previously I held fellowships and senior research posts in departments of Philosophy, Psychology, Anthropology and Linguistics.

I also teach and dance the lindy hop, and I DJ at swing dance events. Contact me for private classes, DJ work, or talks about the history of swing.