Isabel Behncke Izquierdo

Isabel Behncke Izquierdo (MSc University College London, MPhil Cambridge University; PhD, Oxford University) is a behavioural and evolutionary scientist based in New York and Oxford. Originally from the mountains of Chile, she is deeply passionate about the natural world and its inhabitants.

Behncke has spent over 3000 km trekking through the jungles of the Democratic Republic of Congo, studying the social behaviour of bonobo apes—our closest living relatives. Her research sheds light on the complexity of bonobo social interactions and emphasizes their playfulness and sophisticated social structures. By examining these behaviours, she addresses broader questions essential to understanding human social existence and wellbeing, such as the role of festivals, the necessity of risk for trust, the importance of play for adult health and creativity, and the impact of urban environments on quality of life. She explores how insights from our evolutionary past can inform our present and improve societal structures and personal well-being.

In addition to her field research, Behncke is an active participant in the global academic and public speaking circuits. She has delivered presentations at prestigious forums including the United Nations, the House of Lords, and major conferences such as WIRED and TED, where she has spoken twice at the main event. Her academic credentials are further highlighted by her ongoing doctoral studies at Oxford University, where she continues to delve into human evolutionary biology. Behncke's contributions to science and public understanding extend to multiple media platforms, featuring in television documentaries by BBC and National Geographic, and films such as "Bounce: How the Ball Taught the World to Play." She also regularly contributes to radio programs on networks like NPR and BBC Radio 4, enriching public discourse with her insights into human and animal behavior.