Professor Sophie Scott offers a neurological and psychological point of view on the often surprising science and evolution of laughter and its role in social interactions and emotional management. She talks about why we laugh, the impact of laughing on individual well-being and her work on what makes jokes funny. Her research investigates the cognitive neuroscience of voices, speech and laughter, particularly speech perception, speech production, vocal emotions and human communication.

Professor Scott is known for her public engagement work, including performing stand-up comedy. Combining this with her academic study of the science of laughter, she has a uniquely insightful view as to what makes people laugh.

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