Oxford+

Emeritus Professor of Evolutionary Psychology

Professor Robin Dunbar

Professor Robin Dunbar is Professor of Evolutionary Psychology at the University of Oxford, best known for Dunbar's number, the finding that humans can maintain only around 150 meaningful social relationships, layered into smaller circles of closer intimacy from around 5 to 15 to 50. The idea grew out of his research into primate group sizes and the cognitive limits on social bonding.

In a three-part series for Oxford+, he applied that anthropological lens to organisations, exploring how the same social and cognitive limits that shape human groups also dictate the culture, cohesion and success of scaling companies.

Listen to

Professor Robin Dunbar

The Psychology of Scaling Companies and Teams with Professor Robin Dunbar: Part 3

In the final part of this series, Robin Dunbar discusses how to keep culture and commitment in a growing organisation by building social connections.

The Psychology of Scaling Companies and Teams with Professor Robin Dunbar: Part 2

In part two of this series, Robin Dunbar discusses why leadership and hiring for senior roles require prioritising soft skills over traditional CVs.

The Psychology of Scaling Companies and Teams with Professor Robin Dunbar: Part 1

In part one of a three-part series, Professor Robin Dunbar explains how anthropological forces dictate the success of scaling companies.