David Robson is an award-winning science writer specializing in the extremes of the human brain, body, and behavior. He graduated with a degree in mathematics from Cambridge University. Robson worked as a features editor at New Scientist for five years and then as a senior journalist at BBC Future for another five years. He specializes in psychology, neuroscience, and medicine. His writing has appeared in The Guardian, The Atlantic, Men's Health, The Psychologist, and The Washington Post, among other publications. In 2021, he received awards from the Association of British Science Writers and the UK Medical Journalists’ Association for his writing on misinformation and risk communication during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, he was a finalist for the Best British Science Journalist of the Year Award.
Robson is known for his books exploring the science behind decision-making, expectations, and social connections. His first book, The Intelligence Trap: Why Smart People Make Dumb Mistakes, was published in 2019 and has been translated into fifteen languages. It examines the psychology of why intelligent individuals make poor choices. His second book, The Expectation Effect: How Your Mindset Can Change Your World, was a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week and won the British Psychological Society Book Award. It explores how mindsets influence health, productivity, and longevity. Robson's most recent book, The Laws of Connection: The Scientific Secrets of Building a Strong Social Network, was published in June 2024. This book addresses psychological barriers that limit personal and professional relationships and offers strategies for building stronger social networks.