I explain the brain

Complex neuroscience.
Made simple.
For grownups.

Hi, I’m Dr Sarah McKay

I’m an Oxford University-educated neuroscientist, educator, presenter, media commentator, and director of The Neuroscience Academy suite of online training programs.

My first book, The Women's Brain Book: The Neuroscience of Health, Hormones and Happiness was published in 2017.

A second book, Baby Brain: The neurobiology of pregnancy and motherhood is gestating (due April 2023).

I teach coaches, therapists, teachers and other helping professionals how to thoughtfully apply insights and tools from neuroscience to their work.

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Here’s how you can work with me

Book me to speak

Take an online course

Read my book

c. Speaking & Workshops

I'm always thrilled to speak about how neuroscience research can support peak performance, creativity, health and wellbeing.

I have a particular interest in women's brain health, and how the brain changes during puberty, pregnancy and menopause. Talk to me about talking to your audience about the neurobiology of periods, the pill, pregnancy, parenting and perimenopause!

For professional audiences, I distil neuroscience and health psychology into practical tools and strategies for use in the clinic, classroom or corporation.

For general audiences, I research brain science, connect dots between ideas, and translate my findings into straightforward, relevant and highly-engaging stories.

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Dr Sarah McKay is a bright, credible light who stands out in the complex yet fascinating field of neuroscience. Fusing her prestigious academic background with her unique ability to translate complex concepts into words we can all understand, she offers real-world science that we can use to better our lives.

- Erin Matlock, CEO Brain Summits

d. Free Neuroscience Training

For Coaches, Therapists, Educators, Health & Wellness Professionals.

This 10-day email-based masterclass gives you practical guidance and professional-level tuition designed to improve neuroscience literacy. You'll learn how to thoughtfully discuss neuroscience in your work in the clinic, classroom or corporation.

You'll learn:

What neuroplasticity actually is and how it changes over the lifespan.
How our life experiences sculpt the brain.
Why visualisation is nearly the same to the brain as the real experience.
How emotions shape our memories (and why most memories are imperfect).
How understanding even a little neuroscience can foster huge mindset shifts.
Why warm, caring relationships are the foundation for all behaviour change.
What a Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist had to say about the power of psychotherapy.

Dr. McKay is a vivacious and entertaining guide into the fascinating world of brain science.

- John Mekrut, The Balanced Brain.

e. The Women's Brain Book:

The Neuroscience of Health, Hormones and Happiness

As women, understanding how our minds and brains are shaped and sculpted by a wide variety of factors — including genes and hormones, life experiences, society and culture, thoughts, feelings and personal beliefs — is KEY to better health and wellbeing.

The story begins in the womb and takes a fascinating, informative and truly eye-opening journey through infancy and girlhood, puberty and the menstrual cycle, the teenage years, mental health, romance and sex, pregnancy and motherhood, menopause, and finally longevity and old age.

Learn exactly what happens inside our brains and bodies as we move through all of the important phases of our lives and the unique — and often misunderstood — effects of female biology and hormones.

New book due in 2023!

Baby Brain: How Pregnancy and Motherhood Sculpt Your Brain to be Smarter and Live Longer is due to be published by Hachette in April 2023.

READ MY BOOK(S)!

Watch Sarah's TEDx Talk

In the media!

Click on the arrows to view segments from Sarah's ABC science documentary 'Living Longer: Brain'.

Dr Sarah McKay is one of Australia’s most well-known brain science commentators, an author, presenter and sought-after media personality.

She’s been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Grazia, Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and Body & Soul, and has been featured on SBS Insight, ABC Radio National, Radio National, ABC Catalyst, and Channel 7.

Sarah is well-known for taking complex scientific concepts and conveying them in a way that’s informative, relevant and always entertaining.