R. Duncan Luce, UCI cognitive sciences and economics Distinguished Research Professor and member of the Institute for Mathematical Behavioral Sciences, received two prestigious honors in April.

The Patrick Suppes Prize, awarded by the American Philosophical Society, was presented to the prolific scientist at the society’s annual spring meeting for research and publications in decision-making and utility theory that have continued unabated from the 1950s to the present. The prize was established in 2005 in honor of the 20+ year society member for whom the award is named.

Luce was also named as one of two 2012 recipients of the Constantine Panunzio Distinguished Emeriti Award. Presented by the Council of University of California Emeriti Associations, the honor recognizes one to two outstanding faculty each year in the humanities and/or social sciences for research and scholarly activities since retirement, and carries a $5,000 prize. Joining Luce as a 2012 award recipient is Thomas Scheff, sociology professor emeritus at UC Santa Barbara. The two bring the total number of Panunzio award recipients to 29 since its founding in 1983. Luce is the sixth recipient from UC Irvine.

A pioneer in mathematical behavioral sciences, Luce has pursued a scientific understanding of human behavior for more than 50 years. His work blends mathematical theory, designed to provide an understanding of aspects of individual behavior, and behavioral science experiments. He does this by developing formal math models – models that have contributed to shaping parts of contemporary economics and psychology. He has published nearly 250 scientific articles and eight books on the topic, five of which are widely considered classics. He has been highly lauded for his work with awards including the National Medal of Science, Gold Medal Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Science of Psychology, UC Irvine Medal, Frank P. Ramsey Medal of the Decision Analysis Society, Daniel G. Aldrich, Jr. Award for Distinguished University Service, UC Irvine Alumni Association Extraordinarius Award, and the International Biographical Centre in Cambridge, England’s title, “Man of the Millennium.” Luce is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, National Academy of Sciences, and American Philosophical Society as well as several other psychological and economic professional societies.

-Heather Wuebker, Social Sciences Communications