The Royal Society Science Book Prize was awarded in 2017 to Cordelia Fine for her analysis of how biological narratives shape perceptions of gender. A researcher and writer based in Australia, Fine has spent her career investigating the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy to challenge prevailing scientific assumptions regarding human behaviour and social cognition.
Academic Foundation
Born in 1975 in Toronto, Fine pursued a multidisciplinary education. She attended St George's School before earning a bachelor’s degree in experimental psychology with first-class honours from the University of Oxford. She continued her studies with a Master of Philosophy in criminology from the University of Cambridge and a Doctor of Philosophy in psychology from University College London.
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Fine has held various research positions at institutions including Monash University, the Australian National University, and Macquarie University. From 2012 to 2016, she served as an ARC Future Fellow at the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences and held an associate professor role at the Melbourne Business School. Since 2018, she has been a full professor within the History and Philosophy of Science programme at the University of Melbourne.
Contributions to Gender Studies
Fine is known for her critique of the biological arguments surrounding sex differences, a field she notably coined as neurosexism. In her book Delusions of Gender, she examined how flawed methodologies in neuroscience often sustain the gender status quo. She later published Testosterone Rex, which challenged traditional evolutionary and hormonal explanations of human nature. In March 2025, she released Patriarchy Inc.: What We Get Wrong About Gender Equality and Why Men Still Win at Work.
Public Engagement and Recognition
Beyond her academic books and research papers, Fine contributes to public discourse through writing for outlets such as The New York Times, Scientific American, and The Guardian. Her work has received significant recognition, including the 2018 Edinburgh Medal. This award acknowledges individuals whose professional achievements contribute to the understanding and well-being of humanity through science and technology.
Fast facts
- Born: 1975, Toronto
- Citizenship: Australia
- Current Position: Professor, University of Melbourne
- Notable Work: Delusions of Gender
- Notable Work: Testosterone Rex
- Notable Work: Patriarchy Inc.
- Award: Royal Society Science Book Prize (2017)
- Award: Edinburgh Medal (2018)
Questions readers ask
What is the focus of Fine's book Testosterone Rex?
The book critiques widely accepted accounts of sex differences, specifically challenging the view that evolutionary, neural, and hormonal factors dictate inherent male and female natures.
What does the term neurosexism refer to in Fine's work?
It refers to the use of scientific claims and neuroscience data to justify gender inequalities or promote essentialist views of male and female brains.
Achievements
- Notable work: Delusions of Gender
- Held posts at University of Melbourne
- Educated at St George's School, University College London and University of Cambridge
- Fields of research: gender equality, gender studies, neuroscience and psychology
