Prof. Yair Galily

Prof. Yair Galily is a behavioral scientist and Social Psychology researcher, renowned for his work at the Sport, Media and Society (SMS) Research Lab within the Sammy Ofer School of Communications at Reichman University (IDC) Herzliya. He also holds a fellowship at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT). With a prolific career spanning several disciplines, Prof. Galily has authored and edited eight books and contributed over 160 peer-reviewed articles to international academic journals, focusing on the behavioral and social dynamics of sports and exercise.

His groundbreaking research on the "Choking under pressure" phenomenon among NBA players in 2018 garnered global attention, notably featured in publications such as The New Yorker and the World Economic Forum. Similarly, his investigations into the media influence and social activism of basketball icon LeBron James, coupled with pioneering studies on "Artificial Intelligence and Sports Journalism" in 2019, have generated significant impact and discussion within scholarly and public spheres alike.

Beyond academia, Prof. Galily holds key positions within the sports community, serving as the founder and director of the research unit at the Israeli Football Association and contributing his expertise to the Union of European Football Associations’ (UEFA) club licensing committee. Additionally, Lieutenant Colonel (Res.) Galily plays a vital role as the chief (Organizational and Instructional) Behavioral Scientist at the Israel Defense Forces Combat Fitness Centre, where his insights inform training methodologies and organizational strategies.

Research and Teaching Expertise