David C. Rubin

Professor David C. Rubin, Duke University (business and social sciences)

Professor David C. Rubin has specialised in human memory, cognition and neuroscience. With more than 140 journal articles, six books and 36 book chapters published in the field, he is responsible for many empirical and theoretical findings which have changed the way we think about human memory.

His practical approach has made him dedicate most of his effort on memory for complex real world events as opposed to controlled lab studies. Consequently, his work is characterised by its obvious interdisciplinary applications. In the 1980s Professor Rubin was one of the leading pioneers in research in autobiographical memory, and his book “Autobiographical Memory”from 1986 defined the area. Memory for real life situations had initially been an overlooked topic in cognitive psychology, and Rubin played a major role in developing autobiographical memory to the serious and respected field of research it is today. His style has seen him challenge existing views in psychology and made him a leading researcher of memory, widely respected for his originality, sharp analysis and wit.

David C. Rubin obtained his MA in Physics and his PhD in Psychology at Harvard University in the early 1970s. He is today a Juanita M. Kreps Professor at the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University, where he has taught since 1978.

Rubin has been connected to Aarhus University since 1985, spending two years as a visiting professor and publishing more than 20 journal articles in collaboration with professors from the Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences. In addition, he has helped enhance research at the Center on Autobiographical Memory Research (CON AMORE).

Curriculum Vitae

Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University

Education and appointments

  • 2010: International Fellow, Center on Autobiographical Memory Research, Aarhus University
  • 2008: Juanita M. Kreps Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University
  • 1999: Affiliated Faculty, Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Duke University
  • 1987: Professor, Psychology, Duke University
  • 1981-1987: Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Duke University
  • 1978-1981: Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Duke University
  • 1983: Senior Fellow, Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University Medical Center
  • 1974-1978: Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Lawrence University
  • 1970-1974: Teaching Fellow, Harvard University
  • 1968-1970: Aerospace Engineer, NASA: Electronics Research Center
  • 1974: PhD in Psychology, Harvard University
  • 1972: MA in Physics, Harvard University
  • 1968: BS in Physics and Psychology, Carnegie-Mellon University