Richard Davidson, PhD, is the William James and Vilas research professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, and Director of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Davidson’s research is broadly focused on the neural bases of emotion and emotional style and methods to promote human flourishing, including meditation and related contemplative practices.
Davidson has published over 375 articles, numerous chapters and reviews, and has edited 14 books. He was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2006. He is the author (with Sharon Begley) of “The Emotional Life of Your Brain,” published in 2012, and co-author with Daniel Goleman of the book “Altered Traits,” published in 2017. Davidson was elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences in 2003 and the National Academy of Medicine in 2017, and is the Chief Scientific Advisor and a Founding Steward of the Mind & Life Institute.