How we learn, believe and get distracted
Curious about how we make sense of information – and misinformation – in an age of endless distraction? We sat down with Professor Andrew Perfors, cognitive scientist at the University of Melbourne and panellist at our upcoming Future Careers Forum, to talk about his career path, the impact of disinformation, and the advice he shares with young people shaping their futures.
“It’s actually a very hard problem figuring out what the truth is in the complex world that we live in.”
Professor Andrew Perfors is Director of the Complex Human Data Hub in the School of Psychological Sciences and Academic Lead for LGBTIQA+ Inclusion at the University of Melbourne. His research explores how people learn from and influence one another through information, and how misinformation reshapes our shared understanding. As an expert advisor for DISTRACTION, Professor Perfors brings insight into how information systems influence attention, belief, and behaviour in the digital age. Drawing on both his research and his own winding path into academia, he reflects on what shapes a meaningful career in science.
Can you tell us a bit about your experience finding your career path?
When I was in high school, I knew I was interested in science, but I didn't know that you could study humans. I use computer models and math mainly to study human, but I didn't know that was possible! I went into university thinking I wanted to be a physicist, learned that physics was much less interesting for me, but was fortunate enough to find a lab with people who studied when I wanted to go. And then basically, it's actually not a linear path from then, but that set me on the path to studying people. The nice thing about studying people is that there's no end to the questions you can ask. So, I've wandered around all over the place doing lots of things about people, and I've landed here studying a lot about information and information systems and how we interact with our information environment: both because it's hugely important and also because that describes a lot of what humans do.
What drew you to your area of research?
Really, it's that I'm a nerd. And what I mean by that is I really like to understand things, and I want to precisely understand them. But also, I'm really interested in people and the combination of being able to study and understand people, but in the scientific way is just super appealing to me! The hard thing in studying people is just what do you measure? How do you define it? But I really like that challenge and I just love the impact. I think we really need to understand ourselves as a species, as a society, and be able to contribute that to that as a cool, cool thing.
What impact does the spread of misinformation have on young people?
It has a huge impact, but I would say not just young people, but on everyone.
I think it has an impact in two ways. One is obviously it is not just misinformation but disinformation, as in, intended narratives that are misleading or propaganda stick. And those are intended by the people sharing them to shape behaviour in certain ways, to shape voting behaviour and the choices you make. And so obviously it has a big impact on the people who are affected by that because they do what the propaganda has them do. They vote in a certain way that might not actually be in their best interests. They make health choices that aren't necessarily in their best interests. They meet other people who believe similar incorrect things, and they kind of rile each other up and get further and further into echo chambers. So it has an effect through the behaviours of those people, but it also has an effect on society as a whole. Everyone is susceptible to disinformation.
I think young people are in some ways more at risk because they are still figuring everything out and shaping their sense of who they are. But everybody is really susceptible because it's actually a very hard problem figuring out what the truth is in the complex world that we live in.
In what ways have you seen STEM careers shifting as a result of misinformation?
Well, one thing is that I think people who do STEM need to spend more of their time and energy in fighting against mis- and disinformation. People who once would be very happy and make a very successful career, say, just studying vaccines, find themselves forced into a role where they have to justify and explain them. But it's also, in one way, a good thing; it's good for scientists to be more mindful of the implications of what we do. I think that's actually a big way that that mis- and disinformation affects STEM, in how it changes the job description and much more.
“They meet other people who believe similar incorrect things, and they kind of rile each other up and get further and further into echo chambers. So it has an effect through the behaviours of those people, but it also has an effect on society as a whole. Everyone is susceptible to disinformation.”
Why is it important to speak to young people about their future careers and career pathways?
We, as a society, need to make find our way through all the various, big challenges we're facing and young people are our number one tool really. And the choices you make as a young person, none of them are irrevocable. You can always change your paths. But nevertheless, knowing what's out there as a young person is a very, very good way to make good choices from the beginning. So, I just want people to know what there is and what they can do, and to let people know they can do it even if they don't necessarily see themselves in a particular profession. There's probably a lot you don't know of. Like so much of what I do now, I didn't even know was a possibility when I was a young person.
“I think my key advice is really listen to your heart: not just what you think you should be and what you think you’re good at, but what kind of what kind of thing do you want to be and want to do. Not just in terms of the general title, but also what kind of day-to-day life do you want to have? What do you really value?”
What do you find yourself being good at and seek that out because no one can make that choice but you. And as a professor, I have seen generations of young people come through and by far the biggest mistake people make is trying to fit themselves into a box that someone else is saying they should be in.
The Future Careers Forum: Disrupting Disinformation will be presented online on Tuesday, 25 November 2025. Teachers can register to watch the livestream or receive the recording to explore careers in communication, technology, research and storytelling, and their intersection with “truth”.
Find out more about Learning Experiences for secondary students at Science Gallery Melbourne.