Mahzarin Banaji Speaker Biography

Harvard Psychologist, Unconscious Bias Expert, and Best Selling Co-Author of Blindspot

Dr. Mahzarin Banaji stands as one of the world’s most influential voices on implicit attitudes and hidden prejudice. As a top unconscious bias keynote speaker, she blends cutting-edge science with compelling storytelling to reveal how unseen biases shape decisions. Furthermore, her pioneering research employs advanced neuroimaging (fMRI) to uncover the neural pathways behind unconscious judgment. In her bestselling book, Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People, co-authored with Anthony Greenwald, Dr. Mahzarin Banaji examines the biases formed through lifelong exposure to social categories such as race, gender, religion, and age. Consequently, audiences gain actionable strategies to recognize and reduce these hidden patterns. By translating decades of experimental psychology into practical applications, she offers a transformative perspective for leaders, educators, and policymakers committed to building more equitable organizations.

Distinguished Academic Career of an Unconscious Bias Expert

Born and raised in India, Dr. Mahzarin Banaji earned her PhD from Ohio State University before completing postdoctoral work at the University of Washington. She then joined Yale University, serving from 1986 to 2001 as the Reuben Post Halleck Professor of Psychology. Since then, she has held the Richard Clarke Cabot Professorship of Social Ethics at Harvard University, while also serving as the inaugural Carol K. Pforzheimer Professor at Radcliffe. Additionally, she has held distinguished appointments at the Santa Fe Institute and earned recognition as a Harvard College Professor for exceptional teaching. Moreover, she received Yale’s Lex Hixon Prize for Teaching, further underscoring her commitment to academic excellence. Her remarkable career trajectory, spanning prestigious institutions and global research initiatives, firmly establishes Dr. Mahzarin Banaji as a trusted authority in both scientific and professional circles.

Affiliations of a Prominent Bias Researcher

Dr. Mahzarin Banaji’s professional affiliations reflect her status among the most respected scholars in her field. In 2005, she was elected Fellow of the Society for Experimental Psychologists. Subsequently, she joined the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2008 and became a Herbert A. Simon Fellow in 2009. In 2015, her contributions earned her election to the British Academy. Furthermore, these affiliations not only signal her scientific influence but also her commitment to applying research for social betterment. Through such prestigious networks, Dr. Mahzarin Banaji advances international dialogue on diversity, equity, and inclusion, continually reinforcing her role as a leading voice in the conversation on implicit bias.

Awards Recognizing Contributions to Understanding Unconscious Bias

Dr. Mahzarin Banaji has been honored with numerous prestigious awards for her groundbreaking work. These include the James McKeen Cattell Award, the Gordon Allport Prize, and the Morton Deutsch Award for Social Justice. Additionally, she has received the Kurt Lewin Award, the Carol and Ed Diener Award, and the SESP Award for Scientific Impact. Moreover, the Campbell Award further cements her status as a scholar whose research resonates far beyond academia. Each honor reflects the societal relevance of her work, affirming her enduring impact as both a scientist and a top unconscious bias keynote speaker.

Honors Received by a Leading Authority on Implicit Bias

In 2016, Dr. Mahzarin Banaji received the William James Fellow Award for lifetime contributions to psychology. The following year, the American Psychological Association presented her with its Award for Distinguished Scientific Contribution. Furthermore, Barnard College awarded her the Medal of Distinction in 2014. She has also been recognized with honorary degrees from Smith College, Colgate University, the University of Helsinki, and Carnegie Mellon University. These accolades highlight her ability to bridge rigorous research with public understanding, inspiring audiences worldwide to confront and challenge hidden prejudice.

Fellowships Supporting Research on Implicit Cognition

Dr. Mahzarin Banaji’s research has been supported by prestigious fellowships from the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. Additionally, the American Psychological Association honored her with a Presidential Citation for her contributions to advancing social justice. These fellowships have enabled her to expand the frontiers of research on implicit cognition, ensuring that her findings continue to inform public policy, education, and organizational leadership.

Research Focus of an Expert in Unconscious Attitudes

Dr. Mahzarin Banaji investigates the complex relationship between consciously held values and less conscious, implicit attitudes. Her research spans both adults and children, employing behavioral measures, surveys, and neuroimaging to reveal patterns of hidden bias. Furthermore, she examines how these patterns affect individual responsibility and broader questions of justice. By clarifying the gap between intention and action, she equips audiences with tools to align their behaviors with their values. This ability to connect research insights to actionable strategies makes her one of the most sought-after voices on the subject.

Book

Her widely acclaimed book, Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People, has become a cornerstone resource for understanding implicit bias. Since its publication in 2013, the book has shaped conversations in business, education, government, and media. Moreover, its accessible yet profound insights make it an essential reference for organizations aiming to promote equity and inclusion. Through this work, Dr. Mahzarin Banaji has further cemented her reputation as a top unconscious bias keynote speaker.

Dynamic Live and Virtual Keynote Presentations on Unconscious Bias

Dr. Mahzarin Banaji’s keynote speeches captivate audiences with a blend of rigorous science and engaging storytelling. Whether delivered live or virtually, her presentations are interactive, memorable, and deeply relevant to today’s organizational challenges. Furthermore, she often integrates real-time implicit bias tests to create personal insight and spark meaningful dialogue. By booking through Speakers.com, event organizers ensure their audiences experience a thought leader whose expertise inspires action and drives lasting cultural transformation.

Mahzarin Banaji Speaking Topics

Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People (LIVE or VIRTUAL)

In this popular keynote, leading psychologists Mahzarin Banaji explores the hidden biases we all carry from a lifetime of exposure to cultural attitudes about age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, social class, sexuality, disability status, and nationality. Dr. Banaji will make apparent the extent to which our perceptions of social groups—without our awareness or conscious control—shape our likes and dislikes and our judgments about people’s character, abilities, and potential. “Good people” are those of us who strive to align our behavior with our intentions. The aim of Blindspot is to explain the science in plain enough language to help well-intentioned people achieve that alignment. By gaining awareness, we can adapt beliefs and behavior and “outsmart the machine” in our heads so we can be fairer to those around us. Venturing into this book is an invitation to understand our own minds. Dr. Banaji’s Blindspot will challenge and change audiences for years to come.