KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

The UKHC26 Keynote Presentation by Dr Alice Pailhès

Details to follow

Dr Alice Pailhès is a psychological scientist and leading researcher on the psychology of magic, decision-making, and the illusion of free will. Her work bridges scientific inquiry and performance practice, exploring how magicians exploit cognitive shortcuts, attentional blind spots, and belief mechanisms to influence choice and shape perception. She earned her PhD at Goldsmiths, University of London, where she conducted the first empirical studies on forcing techniques in magic — revealing how subtle cues, environmental structures, and narrative framing can guide decisions while preserving the illusion of autonomy. Alice’s research has been featured internationally in leading academic journals, scientific media, and live performances. She consults for companies and cultural institutions, and is the co-author of The Psychology of Magic (a best-seller at Vanishing Inc. written for magicians), as well as the author of The Art of Being Fooled, a forthcoming book on how magicians’ methods reveal the hidden architecture of the mind. Her work offers a captivating lens into how our thoughts are steered — often without our awareness.