The Cambridge Handbook of Behavioural Data Science offers an essential exploration of how behavioural science and data science converge to study, predict, and explain human, algorithmic, and systemic behaviours. Bringing together scholars from psychology, economics, computer science, engineering, and philosophy, the Handbook presents interdisciplinary perspectives on emerging methods, ethical dilemmas, and real-world applications. Organised into modular parts-Human Behaviour, Algorithmic Behaviour, Systems and Culture, and Applications—it provides readers with a comprehensive, flexible map of the field. Covering topics from cognitive modelling to explainable AI, and from social network analysis to ethics of large language models, the Handbook reflects on both technical innovations and the societal impact of behavioural data, and reinforces concepts in online supplementary materials and videos. The book is an indispensable resource for researchers, students, practitioners, and policymakers who seek to engage critically and constructively with behavioural data in an increasingly digital and algorithmically mediated world.

‘The Cambridge Handbook of Behavioural Data Science is an essential resource for anyone seeking to bridge the gap between behavioural insight and data-driven inference. Its interdisciplinary scope, conceptual clarity, and real-world applications make it a powerful tool for researchers, educators, and practitioners alike. I highly recommend it as a foundational guide to this emerging, impactful field.’

Cleotilde Gonzalez - Carnegie Mellon University

‘An authoritative, up-to-date, comprehensive and deeply thoughtful survey of the exciting project of using the digital traces left by real-world behaviour to help understand individuals and societies.’

Nick Chater - Warwick Business School, author of The Mind is Flat

‘This is such an important book arriving as it has when we’re in the midst of the AI revolution. Chock full of distinguished researchers, the book gets readers into the interstices of where AI is taking us allowing readers to dwell on AI’s implications. It’s a must read for anyone wanting to dig deep on behavioural data science and where the current technological revolution will take us. I strongly recommend it.’

Graham Kenny - Managing Director, Strategic Factors, regular author on strategy and AI in the Harvard Business Review

‘While machines grow smarter, human behavior remains beautifully complex. This brilliant handbook offers a rare and rigorous guide to understanding behavior in our rapidly evolving digital age. Thoughtful, systematic, and deeply interdisciplinary, it should be essential reading—because data alone won’t shape the future. Understanding human behavior will.’

Samuel Salzer - behavioral advisor in AI and product design