Dr. Richard Davidson is best known for his groundbreaking work studying emotion and the brain. A friend and confidante of the Dalai Lama, he is a highly sought after expert and speaker, leading conversations on well-being on international stages such as the World Economic Forum, where he serves on the Global Council on Mental Health.
His research is broadly focused on the neural bases of emotion and emotional style as well as methods to promote human flourishing, including meditation and related contemplative practices. His studies have centered on people across the lifespan, from birth through old age.
Davidson has published hundreds of scientific papers, numerous chapters and reviews, and is co-author with Daniel Goleman of Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Mediation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body. He is also the author, with Sharon Begley, of The New York Times bestseller The Emotional Life of Your Brain. He has been featured widely in popular media, including The Today Show, ABC’s Nightline, National Public Radio, National Geographic Magazine, Time Magazine, Newsweek, O: the Oprah Magazine, Harvard Business Review, and additional national and international news outlets. In 2006, Time Magazine named Davidson one of “The 100 Most Influential People in the World.”
Davidson established the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, one of the world’s top research institutions, to cultivate well-being and relieve suffering through a scientific understanding of the mind. Faced with mental and physical health challenges at a global scale, the Center conducts rigorous scientific research to bring new insights and tools aimed at improving the well-being of people of all backgrounds and ages. The Center’s research, rooted in neuroscience, comes down to one basic question: “What constitutes a healthy mind?”
Davidson also co-founded Healthy Minds Innovations (HMI), which is a non-profit organization driven by the mission to translate science into tools that cultivate well-being. HMI takes discoveries and insights gleaned from research and translates them into tools that help people around the world learn and build skills of well-being. These tools include the Healthy Minds Program which uses podcast-style lessons and meditations to support increased awareness, connection, insight, and purpose. HMI also manages philanthropic activities, public speaking engagements, and special initiatives that bring this work to the world.