Women in science who have shaped our business

How women in science have shaped the way we work today.

To mark the celebration of International Women’s day, we shine a spotlight on the most influential women right now who have shaped the Maria Paviour Company and the School of NeuChem Coaching. These women have challenged previous science to reveal radical new ideas which are shaping the way we see modern neuroscience. They all in their own way have been presented with challenges, faced criticisms, and spoken out to achieve phenomenal achievements. We continue to be inspired by the many women in science, so here’s a brief introduction.

1. Lisa Feldman Barrett

University Distinguished Professor of Psychology focusing on the study of emotion. Her research using the latest scientific evidence has completely transformed the way in which we view emotions. In her book ‘How emotions are made: The secret life of the brain’ she challenges traditional thought demonstrating how ideas about emotion are drastically out of date, and the impact this is having.

Previous scientific thought suggests that emotions are produced by specific parts of the brain. Hard-wiring of emotions in our brains is dangerously inaccurate science and is causing significant issues for well-being and the health of society today. Lisa explores how we are not prisoners to our emotions in a Ted Talk, and that we do in fact have more control than previously thought. Her research goes even further, challenging the belief that men and women lead different emotional lives. We have used this knowledge we have challenged traditional coaching methods to develop a natural and holistic method. It has also formed the basis our how we look at emotions within organisations where we see their shortcomings.

2. Dr.Pat Ogden:

Pioneer of somatic psychology developing a method of body-oriented talk therapy: Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. Her ground-breaking research addresses developmental, attachment and trauma issues in her patients. She explores the deep connection between the body and mind through meditation and mindfulness. Her examination of neuroscience has helped clients uncover unconscious behaviours and habits which informs personal experiences. Looking at gesture, posture, facial expressions, eye gaze and movements, Ogden has produced a practical guide to the language of the body.

Using her work we too explored the neuroscience behind habits and keeping your new year’s resolutions. Not only this, but her research has been the basis of our work on BENDS as a form of change to connect the brain and body in NeuChem Professional Coaching.

3. Dr.Helen Fisher

The research done by Helen Fisher is now the most referenced in the love research community. For over three decades, Dr. Helen Fisher has been instrumental in shaping what we know about the evolutionary origins of human behaviour and romantic love. A prominent public intellectual and active interdisciplinary scholar, her work has changed the way social and behavioural scientists think. During her work as chief scientific advisor to the online dating platform match.com, she created a personality test for chemistry.com which has been taken by over 13 million people in 40 countries.  By looking at brains in her research she identified 4 key brain systems linked to dopamine, serotonin, testosterone and oestrogen. You can take the test too here!

Using the research from Helen Fisher, we created a management survey to identify the brain systems of leaders and managers. We wrote to Helen asking permission to do this, which she was more than happy for us to do, and fully supported as an extension of her work. Doing this helped managers understand their own brain systems, and the brain systems they needed to move into to become a more rounded manager. We therefore can enable people to change their brain chemistry to overcome the challenges in your workplace.

4. Baroness Susan Greenfield:

Internationally acclaimed neuroscientist, Baroness Susan Greenfield, is one of todays leading researchers on emotions. Based at the University of Oxford, Greenfield explores the neuroscience of consciousness and the impact of technology on the brain. In her divisive book ‘The private life of the brain’ she challenges many preconceived notions to explore how our unique sense of self is formed.

Time of stress, duress or anger that can be found in organisations who are not correctly promoting wellbeing can cause us to resort to a mental state we experienced in childhood. We call this Fight, Flight or Freeze. Clients are frozen in time and incapable of responding to the challenges found in the workforce, often resulting in brave face syndrome.

5. Brené Brown

Research professor at the University of Houston, Brown has spent her career studying courage, vulnerability, shame and empathy. Brown is a leading expert on shame, authentic leadership and wholehearted living, producing 4 number 1 New York bestsellers. She has also produced one of the top five most viewed Ted Talks in the world on the Power of Vulnerability. Essentially, being vulnerable is brave and there is no shame in this. Without vulnerability, there can be no innovation or change.

We seek to apply this to the ecology of a workplace. Where employees feel forced into vulnerability, they are unable to share ideas, work collectively or make positive change. We help shift the workplace into a comfortable environment where your vulnerability is rewarded rather than challenged, and you are safe to suggest new ideas.

This is by no means an entire list of the many women who have powerfully influenced the way our business works. Rather it is a mere introduction. Our work is constantly being shaped and evolved as new science is revealed. We recognise thorough and radical science that challenges the way we think about our brains and bodies. We apply this research to benefit the mental wellbeing of our clients, and to create a movement of empowerment and change that challenges flaws in modern society.

We are radical. We are different. We are M-Powered.