Speaker Profile

Dr. Sian Leah Beilock is the 19th President of Dartmouth. A cognitive scientist by training, Beilock is one of the world’s leading experts on performance under pressure. She has authored two critically-acclaimed books — Choke and How the Body Knows Its Mind — and her 2017 TED talk has been viewed over 2.7 million times.

President Beilock’s research explores the brain and body factors that influence skill learning and performance, and how simple psychological strategies can drive success in high-stakes situations ranging from test-taking and public speaking to athletics. She works closely with individuals, Fortune 500 companies, sports teams, and government organizations to build high-performance teams and create environments that attract, retain, and get the best out of their talent. 

Her work is routinely covered by outlets like CNN, The New York Times, NPR, and the Wall Street Journal, and has been funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the National Science Foundation (including a CAREER award), and several private foundations. She is a member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, one of the highest honors in her field.

Prior to Dartmouth, President Beilock served for six years as President of Barnard College at Columbia University, and twelve years at the University of Chicago, where she was the Stella M. Rowley Professor of Psychology and Executive Vice Provost.