Benedict Carey

Benedict Carey is an award-winning science reporter and the author of How We Learn: The Surprising Truth About When, Where, and Why It Happens. Carey has been writing about the science of learning and memory since 2001, when he joined the New York Times as its first dedicated science reporter. He has written extensively on topics such as neuroscience, psychology, and education and has been credited with popularizing the field of brain-based learning.

Carey has written for a number of publications, including New York Magazine and Scientific American Mind. He has won several awards for his writing, including the American Psychological Association's award for Excellence in Public Understanding of Psychology and the National Headliners Award for Magazine Feature Writing. He is also a frequent contributor to National Public Radio and frequently lectures at universities and other educational institutions.

Carey's most recent book, How We Learn: The Surprising Truth About When, Where, and Why It Happens, was released in 2014 and has since become a best-seller. The book is based on a series of interviews and experiments conducted by Carey over the span of a decade. His research has debunked popular myths about learning and offered fresh insight into why, where, and when we learn best.

The book argues that spaced practice is the key to mastering new skills and that it is important to frequently pause and review existing knowledge. Carey advocates for incorporating play and exploration into learning to help build connections in the brain and develop deep learning. He also makes the case for taking frequent breaks and getting enough sleep, which can help us learn new material more effectively.

In addition to his book, Carey has written numerous articles on the science of learning and memory, including pieces on topics such as why we forget names, how our brains process new information, how to leverage past learning experiences, and the effects of multitasking. He has also appeared as a guest on television shows such as The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Carey's books and articles show both a deep knowledge of neuroscience and the ability to effectively communicate complex ideas in an accessible way. He speaks passionately about how understanding how the brain works can help us learn more effectively and become better learners. It is no surprise that his work has had a major impact in the field of learning and memory.