Could Humour & Laughter Be the True Human Superpower?

Professor Sophie Scott CBE is a leading British cognitive neuroscientist whose research has transformed understanding of human vocal communication. In 2022, she wrote The Brain: 10 Things You Should Know. As Director of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London, Sophie heads the Speech Communication Group, investigating how the brain processes speech, voice, and nonverbal sounds. Her pioneering studies revealed the neural systems underlying speech perception and production, as well as the distinctive role of the right hemisphere in processing intonation and emotion in voices.

Sophie is perhaps best known for her groundbreaking work on the science of laughter, demonstrating how it supports social bonding and engages both emotional and motor brain systems.

A celebrated public speaker and stand-up comedian, Sophie joins us in Durham to speak on laughter and leadership – sharing insights on how humor fosters connection and influence.