An early proponent of multi-level selection since the 1970s, Wilson continues to explore its implications in both humans and nonhuman species. His most recent book is Does Altruism Exist?: Culture, Genes, and the Welfare of Others.

Wilson posits that the once-heretical theory of multi-level selection, which has become widely accepted by evolutionary biologists, is indispensable for understanding human social interactions at all scales. He will provide a broad overview of this theory and present an exploration of its human applications.

Wilson received a PhD from Michigan State University and is president of the Evolution Institute.