Dr Tali SharotDistinguished Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience

Dr Tali Sharot is a leading academic and researcher whose work sits at the crossroads of neuroscience, psychology, and behavioural economics. As a Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London, where she also leads the Affective Brain Lab, she investigates the biological mechanisms behind human decision-making and belief formation. A Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellow, her extensive studies have successfully mapped the neurological foundation of optimism, exploring how the brain processes future expectations and emotional data. Author of the critically acclaimed books The Optimism Bias and The Influential Mind, Professor Sharot has received significant international recognition, including a cover story in Time magazine. Her research explains why humans often maintain an irrationally positive outlook and reveals how traditional methods of persuasion frequently fail because they conflict with our natural cognitive functions. Her expertise helps organisations understand why people misjudge risks and how social factors shape professional behaviours and health choices. Professor Sharot is frequently booked for her ability to translate complex neuroscientific data into clear strategies for communication and leadership. Audiences value her evidence-based perspective on how to effectively influence others and navigate the deeply ingrained biases that dictate modern human behaviour. On stage, Dr Tali Sharot is best known for talks on Science, Psychology and Neuroscience. Audiences leave with a clear, practical view of the subject rather than a generic overview — every keynote is shaped around the brief and the room. Their work resonates with leaders across Education and Science & Research, where the themes translate directly into team decisions, customer experience and growth strategy. Dr Tali Sharot is regularly booked for Business Speaker and Motivational Speaker, adapting tone, length and format to suit the event — from a 20-minute opener to a full conference keynote with Q&A. Based in UK, Dr Tali Sharot travels internationally for engagements. To check availability or request a tailored brief for your event, send an enquiry and we'll come back with fees, dates and a short summary of how Dr Tali Sharot would approach your audience.