Hello! 👋 I am an MSc Cognitive and Decision Sciences student at UCL, where I investigate how people build, update, and communicate their understanding of the world. My research sits at the intersection of causal cognition (how we model 'why' things happen) and social cognition (how we model why people act). I am also interested in belief change and AI alignment.

I apply these concepts and principles to applied phenomena such as learned helplessness, non-literal language, and belief change. To answer these questions, I employ a combination of behavioural experiments, online surveys, computational modelling, and text mining of online data.

Previously, I studied Philosophy and Psychology at the University of Edinburgh. My dissertation, supervised by Neil Bramley, explored causal inference in learned helplessness. I have also been a research assistant for Zachary Horne, investigating consensus judgements and belief persistence, and for Martin Corley, where I used a self-paced reading task to study sarcasm comprehension.

Outside of research, I enjoy bouldering, baking, travelling, playing the piano, trying out coffee spots, and Mary's Milk Bar (best ice cream in Edinburgh).

You can email me at joshua.hew.25 [at] ucl.ac.uk.