Photo of Dr Sarah McKay, wearing a purple shirt with her arms crossed, smiling at the camera. Surrounding her are the words neuroscientist, author, speaker, mum of boys, and lover of the sea.

I explain the brain

Complex neuroscience.
Made simple.
For people who want to understand brain health, behaviour, hormones, ageing & change without the hype.

 

START HERE
About Dr Sarah McKay, neuroscientist, author, and brain health expert
About Dr Sarah McKay, neuroscientist, author, and brain health expert

Dr Sarah McKay: Neuroscientist, author & science communicator

I’m an Oxford-trained neuroscientist, author and speaker. I translate brain science into clear, practical ideas for people who care about health, behaviour, learning, hormones, ageing and change.

My work sits at the intersection of neuroscience, women’s brain health and real life.

Whether you’re here to understand your own brain, support clients, teach students, lead teams, or cut through the noise around brain health, you’re in the right place.

I make complex neuroscience useful.

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT SARAH

How to work with me:

Read my books
Book me to speak
Explore courses

c. The Women's Brain Book:

The Neuroscience of Health, Hormones and Happiness

A clear, science-backed guide to the female brain across the lifespan, from infancy and puberty to menstrual cycles, mental health, pregnancy, menopause and ageing.

This fully revised second edition explains how biology, hormones, life experience, culture, stress, relationships and ageing shape women’s brain health.

If you’ve ever wanted a better explanation than “it’s just your hormones,” start here.

READ MY BOOKs
ipad-wbb-book-2025-min

d. Keynote Speaker

I explain the brain in a way audiences remember.

As a neuroscientist, author and science communicator, I deliver keynotes and workshps that translate complex brain science into clear, useful ideas for real life, work, health and leadership.

I speak on women’s brain health, hormones, brain change across the lifespan, healthy ageing, stress, uncertainty, trust, behaviour change and the practical application of neuroscience in organisations.

Past audiences include TikTok Australia, EY, Vogue, Winona School, Business Chicks, CalmBirth and the Resolution Institute.

I offer tailored keynotes, workshops, book talks and Q&A sessions for conferences, corporate events, schools, retreats, professional development days and media events.

Book me to speak

“I have known Sarah since we were graduate students. She was always an extremely sharp thinker about science; she liked to challenge things but with an openness to possibility. It's hard to maintain sharp-edged curiosity without becoming cynical. Sarah did that as a graduate student, and she does that now.”

Professor Andrew Huberman, Huberman Lab Podcast.
Photograph of Dr Sarah McKay on stage speaking about neuroscience and brain health in front of a blue background.
Photograph of Dr Sarah McKay speaking about the practical application of brain science for Business Chicks.
Photograph of neuroscientist and science communicator Dr Sarah McKay on stage giving a tailored presentation about brain science to a wide audience in front of a lightbulb background.
Screenshot taken from Vogue Australia with Dr Sarah McKay and other women on a couch on stage. They are discussing brain-to-brain synchronicity and the importance of face-to-face connections in an increasingly digital world.
Photograph of neuroscientist Dr Sarah McKay as a keynote speaker translating brain science to a wider audience with actionable strategies, tools, and insights.

e. The Ultimate Guide to the Female Brain:

How to Boost Mood, Energy, & Focus

I joined Mel Robbins to reveal the 3 factors that shape brain development, how female and male brains differ, and what’s really happening during PMS, pregnancy, and menopause.

Find out more here

Mockup image of Dr Sarah McKay's free micro training in neuroscience and brain health inside a computer. It shows one of the ten email lessons teaching applied neuroscience topics, this one on neuroplasticity and how to use this mechanism of brain change to change behaviour.

f. Free Micro-Training in Brain science.

Built for smart, busy people who want clear neuroscience without committing to a full course.

In 10 short email lessons, Dr Sarah McKay explains the brain science behind stress, habits, motivation, emotions, relationships and change, in plain language you can actually use.

You'll be taught one simple neuroscience concept every day including:

  • The interplay between emotions and thinking.
  • The importance of social connection and brain health.
  • Creating and breaking habits.
  • Neuroplasticity and behaviour change in adulthood.
  • Using visualisation to master skills and emotions.
  • Effective goal-setting, even when you're burned out.

Quickly upskill in basic brain science. Get maximum impact with minimal time investment!

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

- John Mekrut, The Balanced Brain.

g. Sarah's TEDx talk: On the Neurobiology of Afternoon Naps!

Dr Sarah McKay's TEDx Talk, Indulge Your Neurobiology, has received over 31,000 views.

h. View Sarah's ABC Catalyst TV documentary Living Longer: Brain. 

In this episode of the ABC's flagship science show, Catalyst, Sarah travels to San Francisco where the worlds of technology and biology collide and explores some of the more out-there anti-aging science, including one doctor’s work on the holy grail of aging medicine.

This image contains a variety of logos to represent that Dr Sarah McKay has worked with numerous reputable media organisations, including the ABC, Huffington Post, The Wall Street Journal, TedX, and The Sydney Morning Herald, amongst others.
SEE MORE

Free 10 day micro-training in neuroscience

Learn neuroscience with Dr Sarah McKay, neuroscientist, author, science communicator, and brain health expert

Learn one neuroscience concept a day!

10 simple, bite-sized lessons in brain health, delivered daily to your inbox