GBHI Founding Director Conferred with Honorary Degree at Trinity

Ian Robertson receives the university’s highest honor at a Commencements Ceremony at the University of Dublin at Trinity College Dublin.

^{Trinity Provost Dr Linda Doyle, Professor Ian Robertson and Chancellor Dr Mary McAleese}

On November 29, Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) Founding Director Ian Robertson received Trinity College’s highest honor from Chancellor Dr Mary McAleese at a ceremony conducted in Latin in the historic Public Theatre. He was simultaneously awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Science (ScD), recognizing the scale of his achievements, and an Honorary MD, honoring his long standing connection with Trinity’s School of Medicine.

“A true blue-skies thinker—creative and innovative—Ian introduced the transformative idea of dementia prevention, and brain health to Atlantic Philanthropies which seeded the idea for the Global Brain Health Institute,” reflected Brian Lawlor, Site Director of GBHI at Trinity College. “He forged vital connections between Trinity and Bruce Miller and the team at UCSF at a pivotal moment when Chuck Feeney’s final ‘big bets’ were being decided. And what a bet it has turned out to be—266 Atlantic fellows at GBHI across more than 60 countries, transforming lives and advancing brain health.

At Trinity, Ian has driven collaboration across disciplines, particularly at the intersection of arts and neuroscience. Through Creative Brain Week, another of his visionary initiatives, GBHI is championing the power of art, creativity, and science to promote brain health locally and globally.”

Today, GBHI proudly congratulates Ian on his extraordinary achievements and extends heartfelt thanks for all he has done—and continues to do—for GBHI and the Atlantic Fellows community.

— Brian Lawlor, Site Director, GBHI at Trinity College

^{GBHI community members cheer Ian on as he processes to the ceremony!}

Ian Robertson (Doctor of Medicine and Doctor in Science)

Professor Ian H. Robertson is a world leading neuroscientist and psychologist whose work has had extraordinary social impact and whose pre-eminence in the field of neuroscience is a testament to his relentless pursuit of knowledge and innovation. The stellar nature of his academic career is evidenced by the fact that he was the first psychologist in Ireland to be elected as a member of the Royal Irish Academy. 

Robertson was formerly Professor of Psychology in Trinity College Dublin and a Visiting Professor at University College London, Bangor University, University of Wales and Visiting Scientist at the Rotman Research Institute, University of Toronto. Previously, he was a senior scientist at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit at the University of Cambridge, where he was also a fellow at Hughes Hall College. His publication of over 600 scientific papers and books in esteemed scientific journals such as Nature, Brain, Journal of Neuroscience, and Psychological Bulletin underscores the profound impact of his contributions to neuroscience and psychology. 

His pioneering research and development of innovative rehabilitation strategies, including limb activation training, sustained attention training, and self-alert training, have revolutionized cognitive rehabilitation. Robertson’s ground-breaking work in Goal Management Training has played a pivotal role in managing frontal lobe impairment. His theoretical approach to cognitive rehabilitation and widely used tests of attention are cornerstones of the field. His research offers invaluable insights into enhancing cognitive function, improving quality of life, and granting autonomy to individuals grappling with neurological and cognitive impairments.

Moreover, the breadth of the impact of his work exists also in the fact that he has written books which are simultaneously scientifically rigorous and accessible to non-scientists, including The Winner Effect (2012), The Stress Test (2016) and How Confidence Works (2021). 

From the perspective of Trinity College, it is notable that as well as serving as Dean of Research, Professor Robertson was the founding director of Trinity’s Institute of Neuroscience, and the founding director of the Global Brain Health Institute in Trinity College Dublin.

GBHI represents the largest philanthropic donation ever received by Trinity. This accomplishment alone underscores his extraordinary ability to leverage his expertise and vision to establish institutions that significantly impact society, culture, and civil society. Indeed, in this regard it is notable that he has, since 2016 been the T Boone Pickens Distinguished Scientist, at the Centre for Brainhealth at University of Texas, Dallas. The recognition of Robertson’s exceptional achievements is particularly timely given the pressing issues and challenges facing healthcare, neuroscience, and cognitive rehabilitation today. In an era characterized by a growing aging population and rising concerns about mental and brain health, his work is exceptionally relevant. His dedication to advancing knowledge and improving the lives of individuals facing cognitive challenges perfectly aligns with Trinity’s mission and values. 

Robertson is simultaneously being awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Science and an Honorary MD. The latter degree, while not as eminent as a Higher Doctorate, is one of Trinity’s oldest degrees, being first mentioned in the Statutes in 1614, thus there is symbolic significance in connecting Professor Robertson to this degree.

Public Orator Anna Chahoud described Ian Robertson as “the man who taught us how to ‘tune’ our mind and brain so as to attain a healthier, happier life”. She celebrated "his character and integrity, generosity of spirit and breadth of vision, effective clinical approaches and immense impact on our community” adding that “his expert combination of cognitive neuroscience theory and clinical practice reminds us that ‘the science of healing was originally held to be part of natural philosophy’ and, as such, is most deserving of an exceptionally dual distinction in Science and in Medicine.”

Read more about the Honorary Degree awards