Rate Professor Andrew Perfors

Professional Summary: Professor Andrew Perfors

Professor Andrew Perfors is a distinguished academic at the University of Melbourne, Australia, with a focus on cognitive science, computational modeling, and the psychology of language and reasoning. With a robust background in both theoretical and applied research, Professor Perfors has made significant contributions to understanding human cognition and decision-making processes through interdisciplinary approaches.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Perfors holds advanced degrees in cognitive science and related fields, reflecting a strong foundation in interdisciplinary research:

• Ph.D. in Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 2008
• B.A. in Cognitive Science, Brown University, with a focus on computational and psychological aspects of cognition

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Professor Perfors specializes in computational cognitive science, with particular emphasis on:

• Language acquisition and processing
• Bayesian modeling of cognition and decision-making
• Social reasoning and cultural evolution
• Human learning and inference mechanisms

Her work often bridges psychology, linguistics, and computer science to explore how humans and machines can model complex cognitive processes.

Career History and Appointments

Professor Perfors has held several prestigious academic positions, demonstrating a progressive career in research and teaching:

• Associate Professor, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, 2016–present
• Lecturer/Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, 2010–2015
• Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, 2008–2010

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Professor Perfors has been recognized for her contributions to cognitive science and computational modeling:

• ARC Future Fellowship, Australian Research Council, 2016–2020, for research on computational models of human reasoning
• Early Career Researcher Award, Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society, 2013

Key Publications

Professor Perfors has authored numerous influential papers in high-impact journals, contributing to the fields of cognitive science and psychology. A selection of key works includes:

• Perfors, A., Tenenbaum, J. B., Griffiths, T. L., & Xu, F. (2011). "A tutorial introduction to Bayesian models of cognitive development." Cognition, 120(3), 302–321.
• Perfors, A., & Navarro, D. J. (2014). "Language evolution can be shaped by the structure of the world." Cognitive Science, 38(4), 775–793.
• Perfors, A. (2016). "Piaget, probability, and the problems of possibility." Developmental Science, 19(5), 730–742.
• Perfors, A., & Ong, J. (2020). "The role of simplicity in learning and generalization." Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 149(6), 1085–1101.

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Perfors is widely recognized for advancing the use of Bayesian probabilistic models to explain cognitive phenomena, particularly in language learning and reasoning. Her research has influenced both theoretical frameworks and practical applications in cognitive psychology, shaping how researchers approach the study of human learning and cultural transmission. Her interdisciplinary methods have fostered collaborations across psychology, linguistics, and artificial intelligence, contributing to a deeper understanding of cognition in both human and computational contexts.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

Professor Perfors is actively engaged in the academic community through various roles and contributions:

• Regular speaker at international conferences such as the Cognitive Science Society Annual Meeting and Australasian Society for Cognitive Science
• Member of editorial boards for journals like Cognitive Science and Journal of Experimental Psychology
• Contributor to public science communication through lectures and workshops on cognitive modeling and language acquisition