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Professor Patricia Riddell

Professor of Applied Neuroscience, University of Reading

Patricia Riddell

Patricia Riddell is Professor of Applied Neuroscience and a chartered psychologist and an ICF accredited coach (ACC). She has an active research and teaching interest in both theoretical neuroscience and the applications of neuroscience to real-world challenges.

She studied Physiological Sciences at the University of Glasgow, obtained a master’s degree in Quantitative Methods Applied to Physiology from Imperial College before going to the University of Oxford to complete her doctorate studies.

Patricia contributes aspects of applied neuroscience to many qualification
and custom courses at Henley Business School. She has worked on
programmes with business schools nationally, including Roffey Park,
Edinburgh, Ashridge, Oxford Said, and internationally, with Henley Finland
and South Africa and Massey, New Zealand.

Patricia also designs custom neuroscience training for organisations, with
past clients including Lloyds, HSBC, The Oxford Group, Gaia Insights,
Elephants Don’t Forget, First Group, Dynamic Leaning, UAE, Cartier, the
British Psychological Society, International Coaching Federation, Paris and
the Royal Navy

Patricia has co-authored two books: The Neuroscience of Leadership
Coaching (Bossons, Riddell & Sartain, 2015) and NeuroEffective Leadership
(Riddell & McDermott, 2025), which use neuroscience case studies and
principles to provide insight, tips and techniques for coach and leadership
development. She has also contributed chapters on the neuroscience of
coaching to The Handbook of Coaching Psychology (2018); The Complete
Practitioner Guide for Professional Coaches (2021) and Third Wave Cognitive
Behavioural Coaching: Contextual, Behavioural and Neuroscience Approaches
for Evidence Based Coaches (2021). She also publishes thought pieces and
research articles on coaching and leadership.

Patricia is passionate about bringing the expanding knowledge about
the brain and how it drives behaviour to people both within and beyond
universities and has seen the benefits to leaders, coaches and trainers of
having an understanding of the brain.

MSc CBC Stage 1: Neuroscience & Psychology for Behavioural Change (6 months)

In this module you will: Explore evidence-based tools and techniques including cognitive behavioural coaching, motivational interviewing, and acceptance and commitment based coachingConsider relevant psychological theories and the latest research into...

EMP: Module 1 (5 days residential)

Module 1 is delivered on site at Greenlands. These immersive, practical sessions focus on leading self, leading others, and leading the change process. Topics include:...