Overview

Offered by the James A. Baker III Policy Leadership Program, the Brain Economy Seminar is appropriate for mid- to senior-level professionals from academia, the private sector, the nonprofit sector, philanthropy, and the public sector who aspire to lead the integration of brain health and skills into economic strategy. This immersive program provides a deep dive into the emerging brain economy, equipping participants with the knowledge and tools to drive transformative change within their organizations and regions.

Through lectures, workshops, and collaborative group activities, participants will gain practical expertise in shaping brain-based economic initiatives. The program culminates in the creation of a comprehensive strategy portfolio, featuring actionable deliverables such as stakeholder analyses, policy frameworks, and investment plans—all tailored to their unique contexts and goals.

Session Date: April 7 – April 10, 2025

Enrollment Deadline: Now Closed

Location: Rice Global Paris

Tuition: $5,000

Program Manager: Hitkarsh Kumar
 

Register

    Introduction to the Brain Economy

    Gain a foundational understanding of the brain economy, exploring its historical context, rationale, and emerging initiatives.

    Case Studies in Brain Economy Leadership

    Draw from real-world examples of organizations and regions successfully embracing brain economy principles to drive change. Opportunities, challenges, and key outcomes will be highlighted.

    Brain Economy and the Future of Work

    Discover how the brain economy is transforming the workforce, focusing on recruitment, retention, upskilling and reskilling, job creation, and strategies for building a healthy and resilient workplace.

    Regional Readiness Planning

    Develop strategies to assess and enhance your region or organization’s capacity to embrace the brain economy. Create practical readiness plans that address unique strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for transformation.

    Economic Impact Assessments

    Learn to evaluate the tangible benefits of brain economy initiatives — from productivity gains to societal well-being. Craft assessments tailored to your region or organization’s specific economic context.

    Systemic Investing

    Explore investment approaches that prioritize brain capital development. Learn strategies for sustainable and systemic funding to foster innovation and social impact. 

    Sectoral Policy Approaches

    Examine how various sectors — such as education, health care, and technology — can adopt policies to drive brain economy growth. Analyze sector-specific examples and create a targeted policy brief.

    Policy Tips and Tricks

    Master practical techniques for effective policymaking in the brain economy. Learn how to navigate complex systems and design actionable, impactful frameworks.

    Ethics and Responsible Innovation

    Address critical ethical considerations in the brain economy, such as data privacy, equitable access to technologies, and balancing innovation with social responsibility. Develop ethical guidelines tailored to your sector.

    Developing an Action Plan

    Synthesize all course components into a comprehensive action plan for your region or organization. Create a detailed road map with clear goals, stakeholder strategies, and implementation steps for advancing the brain economy.

    Harris Eyre, Ph.D.
    Lead and Senior Fellow, Neuro-Policy Program, Baker Institute

    Behnaam Aazhang, Ph.D.
    Director, Neuroengineering Initiative, Rice University

    Rym Ayadi
    Founder and President, Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association

    Nathan Cook
    Senior Director, Government Relations, Rice University

    Fred Destrebecq
    Executive Director, European Brain Council

    Shiva Dustdar
    Dean, European Investment Bank Institute

    Kana Enomoto
    Director of Brain Health, McKinsey Health Institute

    Quazi Haque
    Chief Medical Officer, Co-Founder, and Professor in Psychiatry, Elysium Healthcare, Ramsay HCG

    William Hynes, Ph.D.
    Senior Climate Change Economist, World Bank; Honorary Professor, University College London; Fellow,Santa Fe Institute 

    Victoria Jupp
    Director, James A. Baker III Policy Leadership Program, Baker Institute

    Facundo Manes, Ph.D.
    National Deputy, Argentina; Professor of Neurology, Behavioral Neurology, and Cognitive Neuroscience, Favaloro University of Buenos Aires; Founder and Chairman, Institute of Cognitive Neurology (INECO) 

    Kelly O’Brien
    Director, Business Collaborative for Brain Health

    Paweł Świeboda
    Founder, NeuroCentury

    Adrian Trömel
    Assistant Vice President, Rice Office of Innovation

    How long is the program?

    Participants meet from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm over four days. Catered breakfast and lunch are provided.

    What project will I work on throughout the program?

    Participants will develop a comprehensive action plan tailored to their region or organization, which includes crafting a landscape report, systemic investing strategy, sector-specific policy brief, and set of ethical guidelines.

    What mentorship and professional development opportunities will I receive?

    Brain economy experts will provide direct guidance and feedback on participants’ projects. Panel discussions and networking opportunities with global thought leaders will also support professional development and mentorship.

    Who should register?

    The Brain Economy Seminar welcomes mid- to senior-level executives, investors, health professionals, and thought-leaders from academic, government, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors interested in learning how to lead brain economy transformations in their organizations or regions.

    How many participants will be in the cohort?

    The Brain Economy Seminar will comprise no more than 25 participants.

    How many hours should I commit to the program?

    The program requires 32 completed contact hours: eight hours of pre-learning (two hours daily) and 24 workshop hours (six hours daily).

    What are the program benefits?

    Hosted at the Rice Global Paris Center in Paris, France, one of the world’s most dynamic cultural and intellectual hubs, the Brain Economy Seminar combines the Baker Institute’s expertise with Europe’s leadership in brain economy innovation to offer participants a deeply reflective and transformative learning experience.

    Participants who complete the program will earn:

    • A certificate of completion demonstrating satisfactory fulfillment of program requirements and skills.*
    • A cohesive strategy portfolio that includes a landscape report, systemic investing strategy, sector-specific policy brief, and set of ethical guidelines developed under direct supervision from brain economy experts.
    • Networking, research, and co-collaboration opportunities with Baker Institute experts and affiliated partners.
       

    *Participation in the Brain Economy Seminar does not satisfy credits needed for a Rice University academic degree program.