Emily Falk, PhD

Emily Falk, Ph.D., is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School for Communication, where she serves as Vice Dean and directs both the Communication Neuroscience Lab and the Climate Communication division of the Annenberg Public Policy Center. A leading voice in the science of how ideas spread and drive action, Dr. Falk’s research sits at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and communication, with a focus on behavior change, social connection, and the impact of media on the brain.

Her work has been widely featured in outlets such as The New York Times, Washington Post, BBC, Forbes, and Scientific American, and she frequently advises NGOs, corporations, and government agencies on how to design more effective messages that resonate at both the individual and population levels.

Dr. Falk’s pioneering research has earned her numerous accolades, including the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award, a DARPA Young Faculty Award, and early career recognition from the International Communication Association, the Social and Affective Neuroscience Society, and the Association for Psychological Science, which named her a Rising Star. She has also received a Fulbright grant and multiple honors for her work in attitudes and persuasion.

With a B.A. in Neuroscience from Brown University and a Ph.D. in Psychology from UCLA, Dr. Falk bridges rigorous science with real-world impact. Her insights help organizations design communication strategies that move people to think, feel, and act with greater purpose and connection.