Poisonous People

Chosen as one of the best new popular science books of 2026 by New Scientist ‘We are going to need all the help offered by a compelling new book … dispense[s] plenty of useful advice on how to protect ourselves from the “poisonous people” in our midst … illuminating’ * New Scientist *

Leanne ten Brinke, PhD serves as an associate professor at the University of British Columbia, where she directs the Truth and Trust Lab. She has published dozens of academic articles on deception, distrust, and psychopathic personalities in the courtroom, boardroom, and halls of government. Her work has been featured in media such as The New York Times, Financial Times, The Washington Post, The Harvard Business Review, BBC, NPR, and CBC. Prior to joining the University of British Columbia, Dr. ten Brinke was an assistant professor at the University of Denver and held a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Haas School of Business and Department of Psychology at UC Berkeley. Dr. ten Brinke holds a PhD from the University of British Columbia and a BSc degree from Dalhousie University. She was born and raised in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.