Annie Murphy Paul is an acclaimed science writer whose work has appeared in the New York Times Magazine, Scientific American, and the Best American Science Writing, among many other publications. Her latest book is The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain. Published in 2021, it was selected as one of 100 Notable Books by the New York Times and as one of 50 Notable Works of Nonfiction by the Washington Post. She is also the author of Origins, an exploration of the science of prenatal influences, and The Cult of Personality, a cultural history and scientific critique of personality testing. Annie is a recipient of the Rosalynn Carter Mental Health Journalism Fellowship, the Spencer Education Journalism Fellowship, and the Bernard L. Schwartz Fellowship at New America. A graduate of Yale University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, she recently completed a Learning Sciences Exchange Fellowship at New America. She is currently a senior writer at the podcast and radio program Hidden Brain.

Session:

Enhancing Learning and Development by Extending the Mind

“Use your head.” That’s what we tell ourselves and others when facing a tricky problem or a difficult project. But a growing body of research indicates that we’ve got it exactly backwards. What we need to do, says science writer Annie Murphy Paul, is think outside the brain. A host of “extra-neural” resources—the feelings and movements of our bodies, the physical spaces in which we learn and work, and the minds of those around us—can be used to support thinking and learning processes, a phenomenon that cognitive scientists call “the extended mind.” Augmenting the biological brain in this way can help us focus more intently, comprehend more deeply, and create more imaginatively—and help others to do the same.

See the full schedule

Award-winning television personality Liza Wisner is a diversity, equity, and inclusion talent development expert, workforce optimization keynote speaker, and was a top 3 finalist on the television show, “The Apprentice” on NBC. Liza serves her community as the curator of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at OpenSesame, on a mission to develop the world’s most productive, admired, and inclusive workforces. She leads strategic initiatives for more inclusivity in human capital services and works directly with many organizations all over the world to make their products and services connect better with their teams and their community. Professionally trained with degrees in computer science and educational technology, Liza has built an incredible career and has turned her love of human capital optimization and process automation into a fulfilling life. Liza is also the founder of social organizations, including the nonprofit, “PowerUp.org,” whose mission is to bridge the divide and provide opportunities where everyone rises up. For more information about Liza, visit her website: lizawisner.com.

Session:

Become a Learning Hero: The Power of Inclusion

In a world that’s changing faster than ever, traditional approaches to learning and development are no longer sufficient. It’s time to challenge assumptions and embrace a new era of inclusive learning. Join this session for a deep dive into the core areas of training delivery, instructional design, measurement and evaluation, and learning technologies. Drawing wisdom from The Ultimate Guide to Being an Inclusive Learning Hero, authored by the renowned talent development expert Liza Wisner, this session is your gateway to becoming a learning hero. Liza, who is professionally trained in computer science and instructional design and has a wealth of experience collaborating with trailblazing organizations and visionary leaders all over the world, will equip you with the insights and strategies needed to become a hero of inclusive learning practices so that you can make profound impacts on the evolving landscape of learning and development.

• Gain an understanding of inclusion within the core areas of training delivery, facilitation, instructional design, measurement, and learning technologies.
• Explore a comprehensive learning and development blueprint as a structured framework to guide your journey toward leadership in inclusive learning.
• Learn actionable strategies and tools for envisioning and nurturing a learning culture that accommodates and celebrates diverse perspectives and learning styles.

See the full schedule