One of the greatest challenges society faces is that we, as a species, have evolved for how things were — not how they are. In his captivating presentations, evolutionary anthropologist David R. Samson skillfully demonstrates how to tap into human nature and bridge the gap between past and present to enhance team unity, optimize wellness and performance, and promote embodied leadership. His transformative insights enable organizations to adapt and excel in a constantly evolving corporate landscape.
A common misconception is that for our species to flourish, we need to suppress our ancient, evolved instincts. As an associate professor of evolutionary anthropology at the University of Toronto, Samson’s work proves this couldn’t be further from the truth. He draws on cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research, rooted in evolutionary biology, psychology, and neuroscience, to show audiences that understanding our past is the key to boosting group cohesion, enhancing our social health, improving sleep, and optimizing our physical performance.
Samson earned his PhD in biological anthropology at Indiana University and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Duke University. His research focused on understanding human uniqueness and what has made our species the most successful on the planet. He has studied and worked with human and non-human primates (and even wolves and dogs) worldwide to explore the behavioural, physiological, and cognitive traits crucial to our success.
Samson shares his pioneering work in his award-winning book, Our Tribal Future, which won the Writers’ Trust of Canada 2023 Balsillie Prize for Public Policy. Renowned for his energetic and interdisciplinary approach, his work has also been featured by several prominent media outlets including the BBC, TIME, The New York Times, New Scientist, National Geographic, and The Atlantic.
