- Greater Oxford
Martha Newson Keynote Speaker
- Anthropologist and chartered psychologist specializing in social bonding and rituals.
- Researcher and consultant for major brands and institutions, including Guinness, Hyundai, and the British Ministry of Justice.
- Published researcher on human connection, with global studies spanning 122 countries.
Martha Newson's Biography
Dr. Martha Newson is a renowned anthropologist and chartered psychologist whose groundbreaking work explores the rituals and behaviors that strengthen social bonds. Her unique expertise has influenced a wide range of organizations, from Premier League football clubs and the British Ministry of Justice to global brands like Guinness, Hyundai, and Electrolux.
She holds a Masters degree and Doctorate from the University of Oxford. With her strong academic foundation, Dr. Newson has pioneered the application of evolutionary theory to better understand human behavior, thought, and emotion. Her research and consultancy focus on how rituals whether on the football field, in underground rave scenes, or in corporate boardrooms foster trust, loyalty, and resilience.
Martha has worked with diverse and extreme groups worldwide, including Brazilian football hooligans, fundamentalist communities in Indonesia, and partygoers in Britain’s underground rave culture. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her research on social contact and wellbeing spanned 122 countries, providing critical insights into how humans adapt to isolation and maintain connection during crises.
She serves as an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Greenwich and Leader of the Changing Lives Lab Group at Oxford University. Martha has attracted significant research funding in her field and regularly shares her findings through media appearances on the BBC, Sky, and the Discovery Channel, as well as features in The Times, The Telegraph, and The Guardian. Additionally, in 2025–26, she contributed to BBC Two’s four-part Titanic series, which explored the human story through a minute-by-minute account of the disaster. Martha’s role focused on unpacking how the mind encodes memory during moments of intense fear and uncertainty, and why survivors’ recollections can be emotional, fragmented, and at times contradictory, without being any less meaningful.
Dr. Newson’s speaking style combines rigorous research with an engaging, personal approach, making her an in-demand keynote speaker for conferences, businesses, and academic institutions. She is also a passionate advocate for accessible education and diversity in academia and beyond.
Martha Newson's Speaking Topics
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Longing for Belonging: The Science of Social Bonding
Discover how our deepest psychological needs are shaped by the primal urge to belong. From corporate teams to ancient tribes, explore insights into the science behind group dynamics, exploring how shared identity, ritual, and connection can dramatically enhance productivity, well-being, and loyalty. Learn more about how businesses can harness this fundamental aspect of human psychology to foster stronger teams, drive innovation, and create meaningful workplace cultures.
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Innovating in the Corporate Sphere with Anthropology
Anthropology is not just for academics, it holds profound insights for the corporate world as my work with Hyundai, Guinness, and the Premier League evidences. Discover Dr Newson's insights on how human culture, ritual, and group behaviours can unlock new strategies for marketing, team building, and leadership. Delve deep into unique perspectives on how anthropology can be applied to solve today’s corporate challenges, making your organization more agile, inclusive, and effective.
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Understanding personalization
In an age of big data and personalized marketing, how can companies leverage personalisation without losing authenticity? Explore the psychology behind personalisation, by showing how it taps into fundamental human desires for recognition and relevance. Learn more about the delicate balance between individualisation and brand consistency, and how to tailor your strategies to foster deeper connections with both customers and employees.
Why Book Martha Newson as a speaker?
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She is a leading anthropologist and psychologist whose work explores how rituals, identity and shared experiences shape human connection and behaviour.
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She translates cutting-edge research in psychology and anthropology into practical insights on trust, resilience, culture and social cohesion.
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She brings exceptional expertise through global research spanning elite sport, underground cultures, corporate environments and crisis response across more than 120 countries.
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She is an engaging and thought-provoking speaker who combines rigorous science with vivid real-world examples and accessible storytelling.
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Her insights equip organisations to strengthen team culture, foster belonging and better understand the human behaviours that drive performance, loyalty and wellbeing.
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