Science & Health Speakers

Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock

Maggie has led projects making anything from land mine detectors to satellite sub-systems that measure variables like wind speed to improve our knowledge of climate change. In presentations the Sky At Night expert talks about exploring space with missions like Rosetta, and how we live in a galaxy with 200 billion stars. Maggie believes that with 100 billion galaxies in the universe, there must be life out there – simply as a matter of probability.

Dr Nighat Arif

Dr Nighat is a GP specialising in women’s health and family planning. She is a medical educator and provides teaching to local trainee GPs as well as at national and international conferences. Nighat was nominated for the National Bevan Prize for Health and Wellbeing to acknowledge her commitment to advancing wellbeing in her community. She has worked to raise awareness on menopause and women’s healthcare in Black and Asian women, and presented her clinical work at the Menopause in the Workplace Parliamentary committee hearing. Nighat...

Poorna Bell

As UK executive editor, HuffPost produced its first month-long campaign celebrating and giving voice to women and men across the world – The All Women Everywhere and Building Modern Men. Poorna has since become an acclaimed writer, raising awareness on the negative effects of the media and society’s decline in mental health.

Alastair Campbell

Alastair ran Labour’s communications for ten years, in and out of government. Alongside co-hosting The Rest is Politics podcast, he advises on both political and organisational strategy, as well as working extensively with charities and campaigning around mental health. He’s written a slew of books including Winners, drawing inspiration from high achievers in sport, business and politics. In presentations Alastair explains what to do when you come under pressure: “Challenge your basic assumptions, put yourselves in your opponent’s shoes, devise a tight plan from t...

Clarke Carlisle

Clarke made over 500 senior level appearances and led the football players’ union. He has also written a powerful memoir. Clarke is open about his struggles with alcohol, depression and gambling – the strains of a multi-billion pound industry in which both fans and club believe they own you. He’s similarly candid about racism and the Kick It Out campaign. Clarke talks about diversity and culture change in a game traditionally associated with macho behaviour.

Professor Lewis Dartnell

Lewis is an astrobiology researcher and professor at the University of Westminster. The author of The Knowledge: How to Rebuild Our World from Scratch, Lewis also writes for The Guardian, The Times, and New Scientist. On TV he has appeared on the BBC, Discovery, and National Geographic channels.

Dr Oscar Duke

Oscar first appeared on TV in the Channel 4 series 24 Hours in A&E. The medical doctor and broadcaster has also appeared on BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 2, and co-hosted The Surgery on BBC Radio 1.

Bob Geldof

Bob has inspired hundreds of projects across Africa and ensures it remains on the political agenda and in the public consciousness. In a rousing speech on social responsibility, Bob reminds us that we are all defined by what we do, not what we say. This isn’t confined to philanthropy. He might also confess to some pride at the thought of becoming the first Irishman (and the first genuine rock star) in space.

Baroness (Susan) Greenfield

One of the world’s leading authorities in neuroscience, Susan Greenfield is a scientist, academic, writer and broadcaster who considers how the brain works and how it’s changing. As well as leading research into Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, she writes and speaks about the potentially damaging effects to the brain of technology and living our lives online.

Dr Tim Gregory

Tim is a cosmochemist turned nuclear chemist, author, speaker, and broadcaster, working at the National Nuclear Laboratory at Sellafield. He explores nuclear science, planetary science, the importance of science in society, as well as the history, nature and potential of nuclear energy to address some of the world's most pressing problems.

Dr Adam Kucharski

Professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Adam specialises in the maths of contagion and risk, revealing the patterns of how things spread and how we can make better predictions. From the lifespan of ideas to the intricacies of human behaviour, AI to disinformation, he finds new ways to extract crucial insights from data, and the wide-ranging lessons this leads to.

Owen O'Kane

Owen's book Ten To Zen shot straight in at Number three on Amazon's Bestsellers, being beaten to the top two spots by Michelle Obama and Joe Wicks. He is a regular contributor to Good Morning Britain, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC News, Sky News, ITV News, Guardian, Daily Telegraph, and The Times. In his speeches Owen makes complex psychological and mental health information accessible and understandable. 

Major Tim Peake

From 400km above the Earth, Britain’s first ESA astronaut became a household name. A former military test pilot, Tim shared his experiences and incredible photos on social media, and spoke to over 1.5million schoolchildren across Europe about the power of science.

Adam Rutherford

Adam has explored synthetic biology, evolution and science in art for radio and TV, and written about the truth behind popular ideas of genetic inheritance. He co-hosts Radio 4’s The Curious Cases of Rutherford and Fry, has toured with Brian Cox and Robin Ince’s Uncaged Monkeys show, and worked on films including Ex Machina, Annihilation, and Life.

Ayo Sokale

BBC Presenter and Civil Engineer Ayo possesses an array of talents and expertise, working at the cutting edge of the scientific, environmental and media landscape.

Tim Spector

Tim Spector is a Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at King’s College London, director of the Twins UK study,  Scientific co-founder at ZOE, and one of the world’s leading researchers. He appears regularly on TV, radio, and podcasts, and is one of the top 100 most cited scientists in the world.

Prof Sir Jonathan Van-Tam

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam was Deputy Chief Medical Officer. He led on health protection and played a significant part in the UK's response to the covid pandemic.

Professor Jim Al-Khalili

As well as being a respected science communicator Jim is an active researcher specialising in theoretical nuclear physics and quantum biology. An acclaimed science writer and a regular on TV and radio, his presentations consider anything from the case for nuclear power plants to the weirdness of the quantum world, the prospects for time travel (and why it's much more likely forwards than back), the creation of life, the importance of asking the right questions (and accepting uncomfortable answers), and Medieval Arabic science.

Zoë Aston

In her work with individuals and a wide range of brands and companies, Zoë explores the mental activities and practices similar to the physical activities required for good physical health. Like our physical health, we often have psychological strengths and weaknesses, and we need to work and rest to recover from injury and build resilience. Whilst the work may not always be easy or comfortable, it leads to longer-term good health as well as better decision-making and an improved ability to face challenging times.

Kate Bellingham

Originally an electronics engineer specialising in computing, Kate began her broadcast career on Tomorrow’s World. She has worked on programmes for the Open University, 5Live and ITV. Kate is a Patron of WISE – Women into Science, Engineering and Construction and was awarded a UKRC Women of Outstanding Achievement Award for her work in communicating science, engineering and technology.

Lucy Beresford

Lucy advises corporates on stress and motivation, demystifies mental health, and analyses politics and the psychology of the electorate. As a mental health expert, Lucy has authored a number of acclaimed fiction and non-fiction books and is a regular panellist on the TV show Jeremy Vine on 5.

Luciana Berger

Luciana has held various shadow ministerial positions, including Shadow Minister for Public Health, Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change, and she was the first ever Shadow Cabinet Minister for Mental Health. She is CEO of iNHouse Communications, Chair of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance and Vice-President of the Jewish Leadership Council.

Dr Dame Claire Bertschinger

Claire was a young field nurse in Ethiopia when Michael Buerk interviewed her for a BBC report on the famine. She was irritated by his ‘stupid questions,’ but told him her grimmest task was to decide which children might survive if let in to the feeding station, and which must be left to die. The report inspired Geldof to set up Live Aid. Claire explains that everybody can make a difference and create value, not just be a consumer.

Zahaan Bharmal

Zahaan Bharmal has served as Chief of Staff to Google’s Chief Marketing Officer, and as Head of Strategy at Google DeepMind. As Senior Director of AI Marketing for EMEA, he shapes how AI is communicated and understood across the region. A former Government policy advisor and speechwriter, and the author of the acclaimed The Art of Physics, he shares his unique perspective on the intersection of AI, physics, and human decision-making.

Professor Tanya Byron

An experienced consultant clinical psychologist, Tanya is also a writer and broadcaster tackling subjects from serious behavioural problems to workplace stress and the effects of living in the digital age. She has worked with the NHS, government, academia and broadcasters to introduce policy and widen understanding of mental health and work-life balance in the digital age.

Dr Ellie Cannon

Dr Ellie is one of a new generation of doctors where communication skills are paramount. She has the medical knowledge but also the vibrant personality and vitality to relate to her patients and audiences. Ellie specialises in communication and is as comfortable talking to new mums with their babies as she is dealing with the sex lives of teenagers. As a GP, having a broad family health practice allows her to speak with authority on issues across all aspects of health and the NHS.

Glenn Catley

The former world super-middleweight champion is now both a Eurosport pundit and a hypnotherapist, helping young people back into work. After dinner he talks about coming face to face with a man who wants to render you unconscious. He also explains why he failed to hypnotise himself.

Dr Sweta Chakraborty

Sweta is an incisive voice on the science behind human decision-making and its impact on societies, institutions and ecological networks. She brings expert knowledge from both the private and public sector to bear on some of the biggest challenges of our time, most notably climate change and Covid-19. Sweta is the US representative of We Don't Have Time, a climate-focussed organisation, and also co-hosts Risky Behavior, a podcast that sheds light on human behaviour in relation to food, drugs and sex. 

Dr Ed Coats

Ed was chosen to join Cracknell and Fogle in a race to the South Pole. They skied for 16 hours each day and came in second – without any polar experience. In his workshop the hospital doctor uses storytelling and mindfulness techniques to give participants the tools to embrace challenge and live for the moment. Ed shows how exploring our feelings, opening up to change, managing criticism and agreeing short-term goals helps us withstand extreme pressure.

Professor Brian Cox

Brian brings scientific discovery to life for millions. He is also a leading experimental physicist, helping to recreate the conditions 1/1000000000th of a second after Big Bang “to confirm the universe’s underlying simplicity.” With breathtaking images, Brian shows how science shocks and excites our imagination, as well as bringing humanity together. He also sets out the case for co-ordinated investment in science as key to job creation and growth.

Jennifer Cox

Chartered Psychotherapist Jennifer Cox co-hosts the podcast Women Are Mad, as well as being the author of the acclaimed book Women Are Angry, which looks at the social phenomenon of a culture which teaches women to suppress their emotions - and what can be done about it.

Dr Hannah Critchlow

Neuroscientist, broadcaster, and author Hannah has appeared as a Science Presenter on Family Brain Games with Dara Ó Briain, Tomorrow’s World Live and BBC Radio 4’s Destiny and the Brain. Her book The Science of Fate, was a Sunday Times Bestseller. She has been recognised as a Top 100 UK scientist by the UK Science Council and named as one of Cambridge University’s most inspirational and successful women in science for her work in science communication.

Dr Will Duffin

Will has delivered medical care in some of the world’s most remote and dangerous environments, from the Himalayas to Siberia to the Pacific Islands, and in high-pressure, high-stakes situations including medical evacuations and natural disasters. With evocative, compelling stories, he explores decision-making, resilience, teamwork and personal leadership based on real-life experience.

Liz Earle

After starting her eponymous skincare brand, as well as writing over 35 books and being a regular on TV, Liz established Liz Earle Wellbeing, a business ranging from publishing to Fairtrade jewellery. She explores her business journey, the importance of values to a brand, as well as health and wellbeing at home and at work.

Professor Martin Elliott

Former Co-Medical Director at The Great Ormond Street Hospital and one of the country’s leading paediatric surgeons, Martin considers his career in this most sensitive and high-pressure of worlds. From working with McLaren F1 to improve interaction between teams to developing stem-cell based transplants; from managing departments to taking the lead in the theatre, he has lessons that apply to any organisation seeking to improve what they do, innovate or understand culture, leadership and teamwork.

Professor Kevin Fong

Kevin is both astrophysicist, medical specialist and a natural storyteller. After working with NASA he specialised in lessons from the effects of extremes on human physiology. He is also part of hospital Emergency Response and Major Incident Planning, an air ambulance Emergency Doctor, and worked as a National Clinical Advisor to NHS England during the Covid-19 pandemic. All of this provides a unique insight into how we all cope with risk, planning and making decisions under pressure, as well as teamwork. He’s the author of Extremes – probing the limits of the human...

Dr Alex George

Alex has become a trusted, practical source of medical and mental health advice via social media, TV and his books and podcast. From ITV to his role as the Government's Youth Mental Health Ambassador, he has used his platforms as a force for positive change and factual conversations around wellbeing, science and mental health.

Dr Daniel Glaser

A natural and enthusiastic communicator on the world of science, Daniel considers what we can learn when the artistic meets the scientific. Examining creativity, decision making and emotions from the position of neuroscience he reveals how understanding how the brain works can inform every aspect of what we do from how people react to music to how to be a better leader to what marketing has the best results.

James Haskell

One of England’s best back-row players, James has played top level club and international rugby all over the world. As well as being a Six Nations winner he has off-the-field interests stretching from a coffee brand to a health and fitness business. He considers his lessons in dealing with pressure, setting goals and getting the best from yourself and your team.

Dame Kelly Holmes

Colonel Dame Kelly Holmes is a British icon and inspiration. After joining the army at seventeen, she cemented her place in history as the first women ever in Great Britain to win two gold medals at the same games at the Athens Olympics.

Dr Phil Hopley

As the Founder and Managing Director of Cognacity - as well as being a Consultant Psychiatrist - Phil is a leading voice in how individuals and teams can achieve peak performance in high-pressure situations.

Dr Christian Jessen

The presenter of Channel 4’s BAFTA-winning Embarrassing Bodies has worked in Africa and on Harley Street. Christian’s aim is to simplify and de-stigmatise the sometimes complicated and embarrassing world of medicine. He addresses all aspects of the serious side of health, wellbeing and medicine, as well as taking a more light-hearted look at the history of healthcare and being a GP.

Dr Julia Jones

Julia has been immersed in neuroscience and physiology for over thirty years, viewing creativity and productivity through the lens of science. She explains how to use biohacks to boost performance and wellbeing without having to completely change your life..

Jonny Benjamin MBE & Neil Laybourn

Jonny Benjamin and Neil Laybourn are mental health campaigners brought together one fateful day when Jonny, having been diagnosed with schizophrenia and depression, walked out onto Waterloo Bridge with the intention of killing himself. Neil persuaded Jonny not to go through with it, but shortly after saving his life, the two were separated. A Twitter campaign six years later saw an emotional reunion and the start of a drive to raise awareness of mental health issues in society and the workplace.

Deep Kailey

Artistic and Creative Director Deep worked in fashion at Vogue, Tatler, and Dazed, and styled Kim Kardashian and Anya Taylor Joy. She is the Artistic Director for arts organisation Without Shape Without Form (WSWF), which champions exchange and dialogue around art, spirituality and mental health.

Bernard Kouchner

After training as a doctor and serving with the Red Cross, Bernard Kouchner went on to co-found Médecins Sans Frontières (also known as Doctors Without Borders). Having played a key role in starting one of the world’s world’s leading humanitarian charities he went on to serve as Minister of Health (three times) in the French government, as well as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Alice Law

After experiencing a prolonged period of chronic stress affecting every aspect of her life, Alice Law undertook a rigorous study of stress - its causes and effects, how we view it and practices to help us manage our reactions. Along with Mo Gawdat she co-founded an online stress management platform and co-authored Unstressable: A Practical Guide to Stress-Free Living.

Hon Dr Stuart Lawrence

Stuart has worked as a teacher and coach in schools, football teams, youth engagement programmes and with the Home Office and HMP Belmarsh. His own story, as well as that of his brother Stephen Lawrence, is one of hope, change, respect and resilience even in the toughest of times.

Dr Vivienne Ming

As a leading neuroscientist Vivienne works with corporations, start-ups and social enterprises on machine learning in recruitment, education and healthcare. Warning that our economy is rooted in an old definition of work as AI commoditises skills and knowledge, she highlights the role that technology can play in solving urgent problems from inclusion to the search for purpose.

Dr Linda Papadopoulos

One of the highest-profile psychologists in the UK, Linda's work on self-image has informed everything from government policy to marketing campaigns. As an academic, author and consultant she also looks at wider issues of professional and personal change, what motivates us, and understanding what our goals are. From peer-pressure and social media to work-life balance and dealing with uncertainty, Linda examines how to work towards happiness, balance and fulfilment in an insightful and accessible way.

Professor Green

Stephen Manderson, better known as Professor Green, is a successful rapper and musician, who has used his personal experiences and his profile to raise awareness of mental health and social issues. Alongside award-winning albums, an acclaimed autobiography, and a variety of TV guest appearances, Stephen has also fronted documentaries including Suicide and Me, Hidden and Homeless, and Working Class White Men.

Professor Alice Roberts

Having originally studied and practiced medicine, Alice became a university lecturer, teaching clinical anatomy, and undertaking research in biological anthropology at the University of Birmingham. She is especially interested in the intersection between biology, archaeology and history, the impact of ancient genomics in archaeology, and the interaction between humans and the environment through time.

Bradley Scanes

Bradley has worked with some of the biggest names in sport, helping them achieve success, including Olympic gold medals and Formula 1 championships. In speeches, he shares his insights to the lessons that businesses can learn from elite sports.

Dr Tali Sharot

Working at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology and behavioural economics, Tali is a leading authority on the biology underpinning why we make the choices we make, what influences those choices, and why we tend to believe the outcome will ultimately be for the best. The acclaimed author of The Optimism Bias considers why our brains generate hope and the sort of decision-making that it leads to.

Dr Tara Shine

Dr Julie Smith

Dr Julie has a private practice in Hampshire and has spent ten years working for the NHS. She also makes TikToks containing clear, engaging advice about various mental health issues to her audience of three million followers.

John Sutherland

John rose to the rank of Chief Superintendant with the Metropolitan Police, and during the course of his career he witnessed the effects of the job on others and on himself. The trauma and pressures that come with the job drove John to a breakdown, an experience he unflinchingly recounts in his book Blue: A Memoir. He looks back on his experiences and the lessons it's taught him about mental health, culture, attitudes and society.

Jonathan Taylor

Jonathan has had an eventful decade since he helped unearth evidence of multi-million-dollar corruption at his former employer, Dutch based multinational SBM Offshore. He has been an FBI informant, key witness in Brazil’s carwash corruption mega-scandal, received an Interpol Red Notice, and was awarded the Blueprint Prize for Whistleblowing. In speeches, Jonathan shows how the world is not yet equipped for whistleblowers and offers an understanding of corruption at the highest levels of international society.

Petra Velzeboer

Petra is the CEO of mental health consultancy PVL. She was born and raised in the infamous Children of God cult, conditioned to believe that she was being groomed to save the world. Having escaped that world, she now talks to audiences about her ultimate rock bottom, her battle with mental illness including addiction and depression, and her subsequent transformation leading to her founding a flourishing mental health business.

Dr Gabrielle Walker

Gabrielle has dodged icebergs and pulled fresh lava from a volcano. She’s one of few strategists equipped to focus on the nexus between scientific, economic and political aspects of climate change, and how businesses achieve responsible resource-efficient growth. The ex-Princeton academic uncovers the latest research data and offers leadership tools to bring stakeholders and customers on board. She also explores how the circular economy affects investment, reputation and long-term risk.

Ruby Wax

A qualified psychotherapist, Ruby has made the leap from brash television star to respected campaigner, writer and communications expert. She shows how leadership skills can be taught then honed like a muscle, and how techniques she used in celebrity interviews translate directly into the boardroom – witness the clip of her talking to Madonna. The Veuve Clicquot Woman of the Year also talks about her work to raise awareness and public understanding about depression and mental illness, and how to cope better with the stresses of the modern world.

Joe Wicks

After becoming an online hit with his health and fitness tips, Joe moved to TV and published his Lean in 15 series of books. He also became ‘the nation’s PE teacher’ as he led daily workout sessions via YouTube during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Nick Wilson

Nick served fourteen years in the army and was deployed on several operational tours around the globe including Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He now fronts the Let’s Talk mental health podcast. Nick’s talks cover a range of topics surrounding mental health in the workplace, resilience and the impact of change and transition. It is his purpose in life to inspire, educate & empower individuals and organisations so they can manage their own mental wellbeing.

Dr Matt Winning

As one of the few (if not only) people working at the intersection of climate change research and stand-up comedy, Matt provides informative and humorous talks about what needs to be done to save our planet.

Professor Lord (Robert) Winston

Robert is an expert in fertility, a leading voice in the genetic engineering debate and a natural presenter. In Bad Ideas? he examined how all human progress from farming to medicine to urban living has made us more vulnerable. He’s now working on an app to help new parents care for their babies. Robert takes on big moral and practical questions. Can we look to technology to solve problems it has created? Where does genetics stop? Is it wrong to play God?