Sander van der Linden

Sander van der Linden is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Cambridge whose research focuses on the social and psychological determinants of risk perception, belief formation, and susceptibility to misinformation. Van der Linden's work examines inoculation theory, social influence mechanisms, and interventions designed to build psychological resistance against misinformation, with particular emphasis on climate change communication, vaccine hesitancy, and the spread of false information online. Van der Linden has also investigated the role of perceived scientific consensus in reducing ideological bias, the psychological effects of exposure to manipulative content, and broader questions concerning democratic participation and the prevention of violent extremism. Van der Linden's research combines experimental methods, field research, and gamification approaches to understand and counter science denial and the manipulation of public opinion.