Neuroscientist & Entrepreneur
Author, Deviate: The Science of Seeing Differently
Beau Lotto is a world-renowned expert in the science of perception. His thrilling keynotes reveal why trading certainty for doubt increases our capacity to adapt, lead, innovate and thrive in the darkness of “ I don’t know.” A three-time mainstage TED speaker with over nine million views, Beau has spoken around the world, delivering totally unique, visually stunning, and interactive presentations that help people embrace the face of change.
Beau is the founder and CEO of two highly successful companies – Lab of Misfits and Ripple. Lab of Misfits was founded in 2001 and is the world’s first and only neuro-perception creative studio, which doubles as a real neuroscience lab. The Lab’s goal is to foster adaptability and creativity. Beau’s second company, Ripple Inc, holds five highly influential patents in Augmented Reality (AR). With the use of its technology and exclusive patented IP, the Lab works to create digital platforms and custom, proprietary digital interactions that layer the world with immersive digital content.
In addition to his entrepreneurial successes, Beau shares his knowledge as a professor at the University of London, and on occasion as a scholar at NYU. He previously taught at University College, London for 20 years. He has mentored over 20 undergraduate, masters, and Ph.D. students, as well as postdoctoral fellows.
The Seattle-native earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of California, Berkeley in 1991. He then moved to Scotland, where he earned his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University Medical School, Edinburgh. He remained in Edinburgh for his first postdoctoral fellowship (with Professor David Price) and then moved to Duke University for his second fellowship, where he was mentored by Professor Dale Purves.
Beau has contributed to television, radio and podcast programs by the BBC, National Geographic, HBO, Wharton on Business Radio, and PBS. He is a frequent keynote speaker at major corporations including J&J, Warner Music, Universal, Viacom, Sainsbury’s, Microsoft, Google, Apple, and the UAE’s Crown Court, where he speaks about the fundamental barriers to thriving in uncertainty and how to overcome them.
TOPICS
The Power of Doubt: Perceive – Adapt – Thrive
How can we adapt and thrive in times when the ground beneath us is shifting? We begin by questioning the beliefs and assumptions that drive every single one of our actions, decisions, and behaviours. The idea is to find solutions to questions that haven’t been asked yet. Learning to maintain a healthy dose of doubt about what we perceive – keeping our assumptions in check – is crucial. In this completely original, game-changing presentation, neuroscientist BEAU LOTTO, known worldwide for his groundbreaking work on the subject, uses hard science to open minds and help audiences see the world and themselves differently. His engaging use of images and videos will have people shaking their heads in disbelief – unable to reconcile what they’re seeing with what they thought to be true. Beau’s stunning, interactive, fun presentation will equip people to challenge their own assumptions and beliefs and come away better able to innovate, collaborate, lead, and adapt to new realities. This presentation is an ideal conference kick-off – providing powerful, positive, creative context that sets a tone for the content and collaboration that follow.
Perception & Leadership – A Masterclass
In a more intimate format designed for leadership teams, departments, and smaller groups, Beau shows leaders how to create a framework to lead others into uncertainty. Anything interesting begins with doubt – with not knowing. Learn to celebrate that uncertainty, ask questions, search and discover – the foundation of all progress and breakthroughs. Science can teach participants how to lead better and create an environment that fosters creativity and innovation by understanding the role of perception in every aspect of their lives. Beau provides the group dozens of new ways to think differently about their challenges and successfully innovate, adapt, and build effective teams.
How Brands Connect With Customers
A brand that delights its audience while creating insight into an essential human value is more creative, has more loyal customers, and generates lasting, authentic impact in the world. Beau’s presentation is based on work that his neuro-design studio Lab of Misfits has been doing for years, which is helping brands deepen their authenticity by enabling and measuring the impact of their purpose in the world. Beau will explain how to unpack the keys to creating customized, immersive brand experiences that will evolve your brand to build genuine and long-lasting relationships with your key audiences.
