Richard Wiseman

Richard Wiseman (born 1966) is both — he began his career as a working magician before becoming a professor of psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. He applies his understanding of conjuring and illusion to scientific research on deception, luck, and human perception.

Wiseman conducted a multi-year study comparing self-identified lucky and unlucky people, concluding that 'luck' is largely driven by thinking patterns and behaviors rather than chance. His findings were published in his bestselling book 'The Luck Factor,' which argued that lucky people tend to be more open to opportunity and resilient.

Wiseman has authored several popular science books including 'The Luck Factor,' 'Paranormality,' and '59 Seconds,' which explore the psychology behind belief, perception, and self-improvement. His writing draws on both his magician's insight into deception and his academic research in psychology.

Wiseman uses principles from conjuring and illusion to study how the human brain can be deceived, contributing to the scientific understanding of visual perception, attention, and cognitive biases. His unique background as a professional magician gives him insights into misdirection that traditional experimental psychologists may overlook.