prof. dr. Jelle Jolles

About Jelle Jolles

Jelle Jolles as a keynote speaker

Jolles speaks about the functioning and performance of individuals in various societal domains such as education, upbringing, healthcare, sports and exercise, music, and culture. He delivers inspiring keynotes, workshops, and masterclasses on themes such as learning and memory, language and motor skills, the use of smartphones and social media, and the workings of the brain. His presentations connect insights from brain science and biology with psychological processes and social functioning.

Jolles focuses on children, adolescents, adults, and seniors, always with an eye on their development and growth. Central to his narrative are ‘opportunities and possibilities’ – a common thread that stems from his years of experience as a professor of neuropsychology and as a clinical neuropsychologist.

Expertise and background

Since 1986, Jolles has been a professor of Neuropsychology (at Maastricht University, later at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam). He studied both neuroscience/neurochemistry and neuropsychology/psychology, is a registered clinical neuropsychologist and health psychologist, and has worked for many years in the healthcare practice. He has supervised more than 80 PhD candidates and published over 600 English-language articles and many hundreds of Dutch-language articles.

Through his consultancy practice NeuroPsy in Amsterdam, he supports educational institutions, healthcare organizations, sports federations, and policymakers. His popular books Ellis and the Brain (2010), The Teenage Brain (2017) and Get to Know Your Child (2020) were bestsellers. In the autumn of 2025, his new book on the role of educators and society in the talent development of young people will be published.

Speaker with impact

Jolles is a highly sought-after speaker at conferences, study days, and symposia. Annually, he delivers 40 to 50 ‘inspirational lectures’ and other keynotes for educational organizations, governments, healthcare professionals, and the business sector. He covers a wide range of topics and can give an inspirational lecture on ‘the future of our education’, or speak at a conference for sports coaches or remedial teachers, or update healthcare professionals on learning and memory. He knows how to touch and inspire his audience; with his narrative style, engaging illustrations, and sharp metaphors, he makes complex knowledge accessible and captivating. His TED talk on learning and education and webinars on the Teenage Brain and smartphone use have each been viewed over 14,000 times, and he reaches a large audience weekly through his LinkedIn profile with 35,000 followers.

Jelle Jolles advocates for an active dialogue between science and practice. He is regularly featured in the media and publishes in NRC and Trouw in columns for parents and educators. His goal is to enable various sectors in society to benefit from the many insights gained about the relationship between the brain, cognition, and behavior.