Abstract

We show what we have learned about sexual preferences by analysing the records of human behaviour in a natural environment: an online erotic website.

Strictly for adults only, 18+. Please bring proof of identity.

Michal Kosinski is Director of Operations for The Psychometrics Centre and Leader of the e-Psychometrics Unit. He is also a research advisor to the Online Services and Advertising group at the Microsoft Research Cambridge, and a visiting lecturer at the Department of Mathematics in the University of Namur, Belgium. His current research is sponsored by Boeing.

Michal’s research focuses on the online environment and encompasses the relationship between psychological traits and online behaviour, crowd-sourcing platforms, auctioning platforms, and online psychometrics. He is coordinating the myPersonaity project engaging over 150 research teams globally collaborating on the analyses of detailed psych-demographic profiles of over 8 mn Facebook users. Michal is also leading a team developing Concerto – an open-source online adaptive assessment platform.

Eleanor Brown has recently graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in Psychology, Politics and Sociology. Her dissertation focussed on human sexual preferences in the online environment and she continues to research this largely overlooked area of sexuality, as part of her broader interest in social psychology. Eleanor currently works as a research assistant at Pillars of Parenting, a social enterprise focussed on improving the outcomes of children in care.

The event is free but booking in advance is required. Booking information: www.cam.ac.uk/festival-of-ideas 01223 766766

Bookings open on 23 September, 10 am.