Richard J. Davidson, PhD

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Dr. Richard J. Davidson is William James and Vilas Research Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, and Founder and Director of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is also founder of the non-profit Humin (formerly Healthy Minds Innovations).

Dr. Davidson received his Ph.D. in Psychology from Harvard University in 1976. His 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. He has published over 600 papers, numerous chapters and reviews, and edited over 20 books. Dr. Davidson released his newest book, Born to Flourish, with Cortland Dahl in March 2026. Davidson and Dahl bring together neuroscience and contemplative science to cultivate well-being and meaning amid the ever-increasing challenges of modern life. The book focuses on small, evidence-based practices, while also grappling with the broader societal conditions shaping attention, emotion, and human connection. Dr. Davidson is also author with Sharon Begley of The Emotional Life of Your Brain, published in 2012, and co-author with Daniel Goleman of Altered Traits, published in 2017. 

Dr. Davidson was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine in 2006. He was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2017 and appointed to the Governing Board of UNESCO’s Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) in 2018. In 2014, Dr. Davidson founded Humin (formerly Healthy Minds Innovations), a global nonprofit on a mission to make wellbeing real by translating science into action. 

Personal Website: https://www.richardjdavidson.com/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-j-davidson/ 
Instagram: @drrichiedavidson 
Twitter/x: @RichieJDavidson 
Substack: @richarddavidson393706 

Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison: https://centerhealthyminds.org/ 
Humin: https://www.humin.org/ 

Born to Flourish with Cortland Dahl: https://flourishingbook.com/ 

DharmaLab 
Co-created by Drs. Cortland Dahl and Richie Davidson 
Designed to share the intersection of contemplative practice and cutting-edge science in a fresh, deeply personal, and interactive way. 
Link: https://dharmalabco.substack.com/ 
Twitter/x: @dharmalabco 
Instagram: @dharmalab_co 
Substack: @dharmalabco