Barbara Sahakian, Fellow of Clare Hall and Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge, was recently invited by The Queen to a reception at Clarence House. The reception marked the findings of a neuroscientific research study commissioned by The Queen’s Reading Room, highlighting the connection between reading and wellbeing. Among the attendees were actor Helena Bonham Carter, author Donna Tartt of The Goldfinch and The Secret History, and author Ken Follett.

As one of the UK’s top neuroscientists, Professor Sahakian was also interviewed for a video produced by The Queen’s Reading Room about the study. Professor Sahakian explained two key points in the study: that reading for enjoyment helps to manage stress that occurs later on, and that reading helps with social cognition through developing feelings towards characters in books.

Read more about the study and watch the full video here.