Sandra Blakeslee

Sandra Blakeslee is an award-winning journalist, science writer, and author of several notable books exploring the science behind human behavior. She has worked in both print and digital media, and is a frequent contributor to The New York Times and other magazines, newspapers, and websites. Described as an "astute observer of human behavior," her books are renowned for their engaging style and humanity, as well as their depth of research.

Blakeslee was born in 1949 in Waterbury, Connecticut. She received a Bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and a Master’s degree from the University of Michigan. Her career in journalism began while she was an undergraduate, when she wrote for both the Purdue School of Journalism and Science and Purdue Times. After college, she wrote for various newspapers, including the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Washington Post, and the San Francisco Chronicle.

In the 1980s, Blakeslee moved to New York and began writing for The New York Times. She has held a number of positions there, including science writer, science editor, and senior writer. During her career at The Times, she has written stories on a range of topics including artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and evolutionary biology.

In addition to her work at The New York Times, Blakeslee has also written articles for other publications, including Newsweek, Discover, and National Geographic. She has also been a regular contributor to the magazine The Sciences, for which she received a National Magazine Award for best feature writing.

Throughout her career, Blakeslee has been interested in examining the science behind everyday behavior. Her first book, The Cat Who Cried for Help, explores the psychological roots of human aggression and how it can be managed. The book sits on the boundary between psychology and science, examining animal behavior, evolutionary biology, and psychiatry, while offering insight into the differences between human and animal social behavior.

Since then, Blakeslee has become a sought-after expert in her field, counseling organizations on various topics and appearing on radio and television programs. She has authored several more books, including The Morphological Revolution and Haunted by Our Genes, both of which explore the science of genetics and inherited behavior.

Blakeslee’s books have been well-received by critics and readers alike. The New York Times has said that “her work is both engaging and informative”, while her books have often been praised for their clear writing and accessible insights. Beyond her books, Blakeslee also lectures at universities and other organizations, encouraging audiences to embrace science and gain an understanding of its potential. Today, Blakeslee continues to write for The New York Times and other publications, as well as giving lectures and teaching courses on the science of behavior.