Barbara Oakley (learning how to learn)

Barbara Oakley is an engineer turned educator famous for her work on effective learning strategies. She co-created the popular online course "Learning How to Learn," which shares practical techniques rooted in neuroscience to help people improve their ability to acquire and retain new skills. Her approach emphasizes understanding the brain’s two modes of thinking—focused, analytical work and relaxed, creative incubation—and how switching between them enhances learning. Oakley aims to make complex cognitive science accessible, empowering learners of all backgrounds to adopt scientifically-backed methods for more efficient and resilient learning.