The science of psychology explains human behaviour from the role of individual nerve cells through to the impact of the intricate psycho-social contexts in which all people function. Psychology is a fundamental science - we want to understand the ways in which people function, behave and interact with one another, because the wellbeing of our planet depends on human behaviour. It is also central to other sciences - to medicine for example (why do people choose to adopt behaviours risky to health?), or to environmental science (why do we continue to use water as though it were an inexhaustible resource?). Psychology is a well established profession - psychologists use the science of psychology to treat mental illness, select the best person for the job, or guide a child who has difficulty in learning to read. Some of the world’s best psychological scientists research and teach in each of these areas within the ANU College of Science.