The 21st Century Brain

A NEW SCIENTIST BEST BOOK FOR APRIL 2026: 'Serious and impressive … Critchlow deserves praise for her rigour and optimism'

Discover the powerful, practical and optimistic guide to strengthening your mind for the modern world and thriving in the age of AI, from acclaimed neuroscientist and Sunday Times bestselling author Dr Hannah Critchlow.


How do we nurture our brains – and our children’s brains – so we have the resilience to thrive during the coming wave of technological and societal change? How can we keep up in the face of AI?

The 21st Century Brain provides the answers.

In her empowering and practical new book, bestselling neuroscientist Dr Hannah Critchlow takes you on a journey through the fascinating landscape of the latest neuroscience research, detailing how we can develop the essential human skills that technology cannot replace – and that matter most for personal fulfilment, wellbeing and long-term success.

Grounded in the latest science, you’ll discover how to strengthen and future-proof essential skills, including:

• Emotional intelligence and collaboration
• Imagination, creativity, and flexible thinking
• Long-term thinking and decision-making
• Adaptability and mental resilience
• Intuition, loyalty, and connection

Writing in her informative and accessible voice, Dr Critchlow shows why our greatest strengths lie not in competing with machines, but in becoming more fully human.

Blending fascinating research with practical advice and simple brain exercises, The 21^st Century Brain is the must-read guide to navigating rapid technological change with confidence.

Review

Full of fascinating new research. Profoundly empowering. -- Professor Hannah Fry, author of Hello World Published On: 2026-02-05

The 21st Century Brain is a vital book for understanding how our brains can adapt and thrive in an age of innovation. Boundlessly thoughtful and practical, it will help you make better decisions, become more curious and creative, and foster deeper intelligence and wisdom. Essential reading for anyone thinking seriously about the future. -- Joseph Jebelli, author of The Brain at Rest Published On: 2026-01-07

The 21st Century Brain combines long-established scientific knowledge and the latest research to build an intriguing picture of our brain and the mind housed within it. With personal anecdotes, clearly explained science and useful exercises to help our brains cope with the challenges of our technological world, Dr. Critchlow has given us a fascinating neuroscience book that is also a guide to modern life. It's a brilliant book that I will read more than once. -- Dr Darragh Ennis, neuroscientist and professional quizzer

Engaging and profoundly positive. ― The Bookseller

An engaging and wide-ranging tour through modern neuroscience, brought to life with Hannah Critchlow’s trademark clarity and eye for everyday relevance. -- Dr Paul Goldsmith, author of The Evolving Brain

Serious and impressive … Critchlow deserves praise for her rigour and optimism …She argues persuasively that we already possess all of the mental attributes we need to survive and thrive … Critchlow covers some fascinating recent science about diet, the gut-brain axis and my favourite organelles, mitochondria … Her tips for honing mental capacity at the end of each of the six chapters are both useful and actionable .. [an} expert, measured manifesto. -- Graham Lawton ― New Scientist Published On: 2026-05-29

About the Author

Hannah Critchlow, PhD, HonsDSc is an internationally acclaimed neuroscientist, broadcaster, author and Fellow at Magdalene College, University of Cambridge. She has appeared on the BBC, Australian ABC and Korean TV and radio and gives regular talks to diverse audiences across the world. Her expertise lies in consciousness, learning and memory, decision-making, intelligence, collaboration between minds and our relationship with AI. In 2019 she was named by Nature as a ‘Rising Star in Life Sciences’ and was recognised as a ‘Top 100 UK scientist’ by the UK Science Council. Her book Consciousness: A Ladybird Expert Guide, was published with Penguin in 2018. The Science of Fate, published by Hodder & Stoughton in May 2019, made The Sunday Times Bestseller list. Hannah’s latest book, Joined-up Thinking, was published in English and Mandarin in 2022 to critical acclaim and she has spoken globally to international policy officials on its findings. She has two doctorates: her research PhD investigating synaptic plasticity from Cambridge University, completed in 2007, and an Honorary Doctorate from Brunel University received in 2022 for her global contribution to neuroscience and communication.