Trish Riddell

The only means of creating knowledge is the human brain, and the only system capable of converting that knowledge into wealth is people working together, exchanging ideas, cooperating, competing and experimenting.

……..The Brain Mind Forum

“The more we can understand about the mechanisms that are used by the brain when it learns best, the better the chance we have of creating learning experiences that allow people to develop to their full potential. That is why I love being part of the inspirational Kaizen team.”

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I am a chartered psychologist and chartered scientist with an active research interest in neuroscience. I studied Physiological Sciences at University of Glasgow, and obtained a Masters degree in Quantitative Methods Applied to Physiology from Imperial College before going to University of Oxford to complete my doctorate in Physiological Sciences under the supervision of Professor John Stein. Studying at Oxford was one of the formative periods of my life – I was lucky enough to be in the Physiology department when Colin Blakemore became professor (who headed the Medical Research Council and was the youngest ever Professor of Physiology at Oxford), and worked in the lab next door to Susan Greenfield (who writes popular books about the brain and was Director of the Royal Institution). My passion for neuroscience was most definitely fuelled by my interactions with these and other illustrious scientists.

On leaving Oxford, I moved to New York, and began my research and teaching career at the City University of New York, developing courses in neuroscience for undergraduates and graduates of this University and also for the prestigious Columbia University. At this time, I also had the good fortune to collaborate with researchers from many Universities around New York including Rockefeller University. It was from the scientists at Rockefeller that I received my training in how to image the brain.

Since returning to the UK I have continued my research and teaching career pursuing my passion for neuroscience. I am an internationally renowned research scientist. One key theme that runs through my research is the changes that occur in the brain as new learning takes place – or how the brain creates new learning. I am curious to know how learning can be facilitated by changes in motivation, teaching styles, attention to cues, and other strategies.

I might have chosen to commit myself to a life of research and university teaching, however, I am passionate about bringing the expanding knowledge that we have about the brain and how it drives behaviour to people beyond Universities. This is one of the fastest growing and most exciting fields of study of our generation and I believe that there is a huge benefit to be had from coaches, trainers, leaders and others being knowledgeable about the brain. I run courses on the brain for people at all levels of their journey of discovery and would love for you to join me in one of these.

In addition to my role as a trainer, I am passionate about bringing new insights to the Kaizen team – whether this is a new way to create inspirational leaders, to ensure that change is engaging, or to make learning sticky. One of my roles is therefore to be scanning the literature constantly for the latest and best research ideas which I then bring to the team, with my advice on how they can be used to improve leading, changing and learning. I also love creating cutting edge training tools that integrate and expand on the most recent ideas in neuroscientific and psychological thinking.

“I am convinced that there will soon be a revolution in our understanding of human behaviour, and a deeper knowledge of the brain will be driving that revolution! I intend to be right up there with my foot on the gas!”

Trish

Upcoming Events with Dr Trish Riddell: