Dr Julia Shaw
Dr Julia Shaw is a research associate at University College London and the co-host of the Bad People podcast on BBC Sounds. She is an expert on criminal psychology, and the author of three books, Bi: The hidden culture, history, and science of bisexuality, Making Evil: The Science Behind Humanity’s Dark Side and The Memory Illusion: Remembering, Forgetting, and the Science of False Memory.
Recent articles by Dr Julia Shaw
How to actually catch a liar, according to the new science of lie detection
We’ve been getting lie detection wrong for 100 years. Now scientists are trying to fix the problem.
Eco-anxiety: Worrying about climate change can be stressful but it can also help to spur us into action
Many of us are increasingly anxious about the future of the planet.
Content moderators pay a psychological toll to keep social media clean. We should be helping them
As technology develops, we need to make sure we are keeping pace with any potentially damaging effects it may be having on our mental wellbeing.
Climate change: Rising temperatures can have a serious impact on our ability to think
It's time to think about the effects warmer weather is having on our brains, not just our bodies.
Translation errors in police interviews could send innocent people to jail
Using interpreters can distort how police evaluate suspects and witnesses.
How to create a realistic virtual child (and why you might want to)
Criminal psychologists and computer scientists are using virtual avatars to train people how to interview vulnerable children.
Why do we find art beautiful? It all comes down to fireworks in the brain
The fascinating science of neuroaesthetics is shedding new light on the human appreciation of art.
How false memories can shape a criminal court case
False memories make for thorny debates in research and the courtroom alike.
Why does researching bisexuality matter?
Throwing all non-heterosexual people into one bucket means not all the letters of the rainbow alphabet have been able to shine.
Is it human nature to be manipulative?
Binging on TV shows like Squid Game and Love Island might leave you thinking humans are naturally duplicitous, but actually a little bit of social nous is a core part of human interaction.
Reality Check | Are we becoming more narcissistic?
Vanity, social media, and the 'me, me, me' generation.
Reality Check | How has lockdown affected our memories?
Lockdown has taken its toll on all of us in many different ways. But what has it done to our memories?