Professor of Psychology and Director of the Center for Applied Cognitive Science. University of Texas at Austin, United States of America.

Professor Cristine Legare is a cognitive scientist driven by a profound question: How do children learn and share knowledge across the world’s diverse cultures? As Professor of Psychology and Director of the Center for Applied Cognitive Science at The University of Texas at Austin, she leads international collaborations spanning more than twenty countries. Her work bridges science and society, linking discoveries about how the mind works with real-world solutions that enhance learning, health, and community well-being. Passionate about mentorship and inclusion, Dr. Legare champions a more globally representative science of human cognition.

Description of her work

At the Center for Applied Cognitive Science, Dr. Legare leads interdisciplinary projects examining how children learn and develop in diverse cultural contexts. Her team’s research ranges from urban classrooms and children’s museums in the U.S. to rural communities in India, Ghana, and Colombia. Major initiatives explore cultural variation in teaching practices and social learning across thirteen countries, revealing how education influences beliefs and behaviors around global challenges such as pandemics, climate change, and resource conservation.

A highlight of her applied research is a large-scale project to improve maternal and child health outcomes in northern India through culturally tailored interventions. Through partnerships with organizations like UNESCO, GSoLEN, and international NGOs, she works to translate cognitive science insights into educational programs and behavioral strategies that promote meaningful, sustainable change worldwide.

Key findings

Dr. Legare’s cross-cultural studies have revealed that there is no single “universal” way humans learn. Teaching and learning practices differ profoundly across societies, and this diversity is a source of strength. Her research shows that children are remarkably adaptive learners, flexibly aligning with the cultural norms, tools, and knowledge systems of their communities.

By recognizing and valuing this cognitive flexibility, Dr. Legare challenges long-standing biases in psychology and education rooted in Western perspectives. Her findings highlight that effective education must honor local knowledge and context, transforming how interventions are designed and implemented. This approach not only advances scientific understanding but also delivers tangible improvements in health, learning, and community empowerment.

She mentioned: “This work has convinced me that genuine scientific progress demands we move beyond our narrow slice of humanity to understand the full spectrum of human cognitive potential—and that doing so doesn’t just advance theory, it transforms lives.”