BBC given heads up on University brain scan project
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Sir John Madejski in the MRI scanner
The BBC news cameras visited the Whiteknights campus recently to film an exclusive broadcast about innovative research between Henley Business School and the University's Centre for Integrative Neuroscience and Neurodynamics (CINN).
BBC journalist Rory Cellan-Jones spent the morning interviewing Dr Kevin Money, Director of The John Madejski Centre for Reputation at Henley Business School, and Professor Doug Saddy, Director of CINN, about their study that examines what sets leaders apart and how they make their judgements. The research will be used to help business leaders make better decisions.
Neuroscientists, psychologists and management experts at the University are collaborating on a study which aims to examine the brains of chief executives and leaders in other fields such as the military or voluntary organisations.
As part of the project an MRI scanner was used to scan the brains of influential leaders to understand the psychological and physiological mechanisms that underpin our mental processes.
The first person scanned was Sir John Madejski, Chancellor of the University, as well as Chairman of Reading Football Club, and Deputy Lieutenant of Berkshire. Sir John was asked to make various financial decisions while in the scanner, making a judgement between short-term and long-term reward. As Sir John made his decisions his brain activity was measured.
The 45-minute brain scan is part of a unique experiment to try to work out whether science can be applied to the study of leadership.
The BBC recorded him undergoing the scan and his reactions afterwards - he said he had enjoyed the experience and looked forward to the results. "I think they found my brain," joked Sir John who is encouraging fellow entrepreneurs to submit their brains for scanning.