- United States
Ben Rein Keynote Speaker
- Neuroscientist and Science Communicator
- Adjunct Lecturer at Stanford University
- Author, "Why Brains Need Friends"
Ben Rein's Biography
Ben Rein, PhD is an award-winning neuroscientist, author, and science communicator. He is the Chief Science Officer of the Mind Science Foundation, Head of Science Communication at ResearchHub Foundation, Adjunct Lecturer at Stanford University, and Clinical Assistant Professor at SUNY Buffalo. He has published over 20 peer-reviewed papers on the neuroscience of social behavior, and is the author of the Penguin Random House book, Why Brains Need Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connection. Rein also shares educational neuroscience videos on social media to an audience of more than 1.2 million followers. He has been profiled by The Guardian, featured on Entertainment Tonight, and joined 100+ podcasts including StarTalk with Neil DeGrasse Tyson. His science communication efforts have been recognized with awards from the National Academies of Sciences, the Society for Neuroscience, and elsewhere.
Ben Rein's Speaking Topics
Why Brains Need Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connection
We’ve all heard that socializing is important for our health, but what does friendship really provide for the brain? Neuroscientist Dr. Ben Rein explains the fascinating neuroscience of connection (and loneliness), clarifying the true biological importance of relationships for brain function. This talk will change the way you view interaction, and deepen your understanding of your own brain.
Empathy: what makes us human?
Empathy is a hot topic, but is often misunderstood. As a neuroscientist who has studied the biology of empathy at Stanford, Rein explains what empathy really is, how it works in the brain, and why we have this capability at all. He also explains how empathy can be enhanced, the factors that determine how much empathy we experience, and how modern platforms like social media are altering the way we empathize with each other. Lastly, Rein explains how empathy manifests throughout the animal kingdom, and will make you question what it really means to be human.
Why Book Ben Rein as a speaker?
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He is an award-winning neuroscientist trained at Stanford, with more than 20 peer-reviewed publications on the neuroscience of social behaviour and what drives human connection.
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He bridges cutting-edge brain science with real-world leadership and wellbeing, translating research on belonging, stress and relationships into practical insight for organisations.
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He brings rare credibility across academia and applied science as Chief Science Officer of the Mind Science Foundation and a lecturer and professor across Stanford and SUNY Buffalo.
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He reaches and educates more than one million followers as a leading science communicator, helping audiences understand neuroscience with clarity, accuracy and impact.
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He is the author of Why Brains Need Friends (Penguin Random House, 2025), offering a timely framework for leaders navigating loneliness, collaboration and the human side of performance.
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