Yesterday I got the chance to hear Richard Wiseman, the chair of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire and the author of Quirkology, the Curious Science of Everyday Lives.

For over twenty years, psychologist Richard Wiseman has examined the quirky science of everyday life, spending nights in allegedly haunted houses, conducting clandestine experiments in over 30 countries and spending ten years researching the nature of luck. By examining this research, and the research of others who study “quirky science”, we can gain a glimpse into ways the human mind really works.

I was so enthralled with the presentation that when I got home that night I showed my extended family an example of his work on YouTube called, Colour Changing Card Trick. The presentation totally floored that audience which included my wife, daughter, and grandson.

In his new book he covers:

• How does your surname affect your life?
• Why should women have men write their personal ads?
• What is the funniest joke in the world?
• How can you tell when someone is lying?
• What does the way you walk reveal about your personality?

Bio: Dr. Richard Wiseman started his working life as an award winning magician and one of the youngest members elected to the Magic Circle. Following a degree in Psychology from University College, London and a PhD in Psychology from the University of Edinburgh, he has been head of the research unit at the University of Hertfordshire.

He has published over 40 papers in refereed academic journals and his work has been supported by grants from The Wellcome Trust and the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA). In 2004 he was awarded a NESTA Dreamtime Fellowship for his innovative work in science communication, and in 2005 served as President of the General Section of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. His research has been featured in over 150 television programs and newspapers, and his first book The Luck Factor, has been published in 14 languages and published in over 25 countries.

In addition, he is well known for designing and conducting mass-participation projects, including LaughLab, one of the world’s largest interactive experiments involving 350,000 people from 70 countries. Dr. Wiseman’s current “quirkology experiments” have been viewed on YouTube by over 2 million people.