Steven Laureys

Award-winning neurologist and bestselling author

Author •
Scientist

Steven Laureys is a world-renowned neurologist, brain science popularizer, and bestselling author. Having more than 25 years of experience under his belt, Laureys has published over 500 scientific papers as well as 12 books to date. He is acknowledged as one of the leading authorities in the field.

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What Steven Laureys's clients say

Here is some of the feedback from audiences and clients who have worked with Steven.

"Professor Laureys is a phenomenal speaker eager to share his scientific insights to help all of us to find happiness. He makes it a mission to debunk misguided views while sharing the latest insights on neurology and mindfulness in clear language. He engages with the audience using a variety of tools."

Reinout De Bock,

International Monetary Fund, London

"Steven Laureys is passionate about meditation and the benefits it has on anyone’s daily life, and he knows how to grab your attention and engage an audience when talking about it. I say ‘anyone’s’ here as Laureys can literally inspire anyone with his very clear, knowledgeable, and approachable presentations on how meditation works in your brain and what effect it has. We booked him for two events with different target groups, and he easily got everyone enthusiastic on and marveled about the effects of meditation. You want to try out meditation after his presentation, even if you’re not into it."

Sanne Helbers,

Studium Generale,

Delft University

"Steven is a world-class speaker with the rare ability to grab people's attention and keeping them engaged. His remarkable talent and skill are self-evident. And did he deliver! Not only was he selected as the best out of ten speakers, his high-energy presentation was also well-crafted, thought provoking and exceeded our expectations. I have never seen anyone deliver such a powerful speech around this fascinating topic. His message will impact you in ways you would never have expected and motivate you to start practicing mindfulness in several areas of your life. I highly recommend Steven as a speaker for your next event."

Jonathan Bossaer,

Positively Alive

"Passionate & beautifully connected with the message. We were very happy with the inspiring keynote."

Jen Bertels,

Mindfulness Association Belgium

"Steven is a passionate speaker who can easily captivate an audience with his stories. We asked him to speak at our big outdoor science festival and the place was packed during his presentation. Rightly so! The audience came out of his presentation enthusiastic and full of energy."

Toon Verlinden,

Sound of Science

"We can highly recommend prof Laureys for your next event - no matter what kind of experience level the audience has. Steven is an electrifying speaker. His passion for the subject is taking the audience smoothly into the secret world of human consciousness. In just one hour, attendees gain a fresh perspective on the topic. Many attendees have requested printed text or presentations from Prof Laureys’ keynote speeches - more than for any other speaker. His presentations are packed with illuminating anecdotes, surprising paradoxes, telling statistics, and a refreshing dose of good humor."

Sarah Perneel,

Arseus Medical

"Steven has a unique combination of skills. He is a world-class researcher, a renowned neurologist, and a talented speaker. His lectures shed light on one of humanity's most complex and fascinating questions, consciousness."

Laurent Hermoye,

Imagilys

"With his impressive background and unique persuasiveness, dr. Steven Laureys delivers a message with potentially life-changing impact. Why cling on to old ideas about mind-body separation, when so much is known about our brain and the positive effects of meditation and altruism? This speaker brings stories first-hand and evidence-based in a balanced and natural style, captivating your attention for every single minute. Totally recommended!"

Wouter Rogiest,

LM Plus, health insurance fund

"Dr Steven Laureys combines scientific research with hands-on exercises and testimonials. He is an extra-ordinary guide in the discovery of the wonderful world of our brain. Steven illustrates the power of meditation on our mind through diverse evidence-based stories that convince the most doubtful. Rooted in real life, he offers a path to everybody to experience it. His passion and longtime dedication to this field make him an enthusiastic and convincing speaker. Highly recommended."

Camille Gillon,

Belfius Bank & Insurance

"Dr. Steven Laureys' enthusiasm for the field of neuroscience is palpable. Steven condenses years of research into digestible, enjoyable and practical forms that opens the door into the science of meditation and the effects of music on the brain. I believe this comes from a personal investment in improving the lives of people."

Milagro Elstak,

Entrée,

Amsterdam Concert Hall

"Professor Steven Laureys is without a doubt the most dynamic, entertaining, and engaging presenter I have ever had the pleasure to watch. From the moment he took the stage, his audience completely captivated. Best of all, he delivered valuable, important insights and ideas. He delivered – totally. He was dynamic and had a contagious enthusiasm that delivered ah-ha moments across the board; everyone walked away with something. Also, he was gracious enough to answer questions and provide feedback – even after the conference. Professor Steven Laureys is not just a speaker; he’s an experience."

Katrien Geeraerts,

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Steven Laureys's 2025 biography

Why book Steven Laureys? Steven is motivated by an interest in understanding the mind of the human being in health and disease. After over 25 years of groundbreaking research into human consciousness, including three widely published books on the subject, Laureys has become a leading authority in his field. He believes that to make mental health better, bring well-being, and unlock human potential, it is important to understand the complexities of the human mind.

What kind of speaker is Steven Laureys? Steven is a fabulous, dynamic and also fascinating speaker who is responsible for making the complicated concepts about brain workings easy to understand to huge gatherings. He is remembered most for his captivating, interactive and informative keynote speeches where he manages to find bridges between the latest neuroscientific insights and their applications in practice.

Who normally books Steven Laureys to speak? Normally, Steven speaks on behalf of organizations interested in learning about the potential of the human mind. He has talked at conferences, corporate events as well as academic institutions and shared with his audiences his thoughts concerning human consciousness, brain science and meditation.

What is the typical audience of Steven Laureys? The typical audience of Steven includes corporate executives, HR professionals, and event organisers who are interested in understanding of the human mind and its potential. He conducts presentations at company events, management retreats, team-building events, and academic conferences centering on topics like neuro-economics, neuro-ergonomics, creativity and teamwork among others.

Steven Laureys’ leading scientific achievements:

Popularizer of brain science
Published more than 500 scientific papers and 12 books
Founding director of the GIGA Consciousness Research Unit at the University of Liège (Belgium)
Professor at CERVO Brain Research Centre, Laval University (Canada)
Founder of the World Federation of Neurology Research Group on disorders of consciousness
Research Director at the Belgian National Fund for Scientific Research since 2012
Authored international bestseller “The no-nonsense meditation book” (Bloomsbury 2021), translated into more than 10 languages
Active member of the Human Brain Project
Elected Commander in Order Leopold and fellow Royal Academy Medicine Belgium and European Academy Neurology

EXTENDED BIOGRAPHY

Steven Laureys MD PhD FEAN is a neurologist, author and keynote speaker, recognized for his research on human consciousness. He currently is Chairholder of the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Integrative Neuroscience for Sustainable Mental Health, Full Professor at Laval University, CERVO Brain Research Centre, Quebec, CANADA and is Invited Professor at Harvard Medical School, Boston. He also is Research Director at the Belgian National Fund for Scientific Research and founder of the ‘Coma Science Group’ and GIGA Consciousness Research Unit at Liège University and the Centre Cerveau at the Liège University Hospital.

With his team and collaborators, he uses neuroimaging to study neuroplasticity and recovery from brain disease and trauma but also in sleep, dreaming, anesthesia, hypnosis, trance, psychedelics, and the power of the mind as studied in Buddhist monks, astronauts, entrepreneurs, and top athletes.

Prof Laureys is a promoter of complementary medicine and sustainable mental wellbeing and co-signer of the Cambridge Declaration on Animal Consciousness. He is a highly cited neuroscientist with over 570 scientific articles (H-index 141), ranked in the world top 10 most influential neurologists and is author of several popular books including “The No-Nonsense Meditation Book”. Dr Laureys is a fellow of the Belgian Royal Academy of Medicine and recipient of numerous awards (e.g., European Academy of Neurology, European Award in Medicine, Max Planck Institute, Association of the Scientific Study of Consciousness, and Society of Cognitive Neuroscience). He is co-founder of Mind Care International Foundation.