Kerry Spackman
Cognitive neuroscientist, author, and inventor from New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kerry Spackman (born 26 June 1956) is a New Zealand cognitive neuroscientist, author, and inventor. He has worked with Formula One drivers, the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team, and Olympic athletes on performance optimisation techniques. Spackman is the author of The Winner's Bible and The Ant and the Ferrari. He has received awards for his innovations in electronics and creative thinking.[1][2]
1992 NEEDA Award for Most Significant Electronic Export
Kerry Spackman | |
|---|---|
Spackman in 2010 | |
| Born | 26 June 1956 |
| Occupations | Cognitive neuroscientist, author, inventor |
| Known for | Work in sports psychology, Formula One driver training, and performance optimisation |
| Awards | 2010 World Class New Zealand Award for Creative Thinking 1992 NEEDA Award for Most Significant Electronic Export |
| Website | Official website |
Early life and education
Spackman was born on 26 June 1956 in Auckland, New Zealand.[2] He studied applied mathematics at the University of Auckland, where he received the Senior Prize in Applied Mathematics.[2] Publicly available sources note his subsequent research in psychophysics, but details of his doctoral studies are not widely documented in independent media.[original research?]
Career
Inventions and motorsports
In the early 1990s, Spackman developed electronic telemetry systems for analysing vehicle and driver performance in motorsports. He was awarded the 1992 NEEDA Award for the Most Significant Electronic Export for this work.[3][4] He holds U.S. Patent 5,023,809 for a target tracking device used in vehicle testing.[5]
He collaborated with Sir Jackie Stewart on driver training programmes for Ford Motor Company.[3] Spackman also consulted for Formula One teams, including McLaren, contributing to driver training and simulation development. According to The Guardian, his techniques were used in the training of Lewis Hamilton.[1]
Sports performance and consulting
Spackman has consulted for the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team and Olympic athletes, applying neuroscience principles to enhance mental performance.[6][7] He directed the New Zealand government’s "GoldMine" project for Olympic preparation.[8]
He later founded Cognitive Performance Labs, a company providing neuroscience-based consulting to elite performers.[9]
Writing and media
Spackman authored The Winner's Bible: Rewire Your Brain for Permanent Change (2009), which discusses neuroscience-based techniques for personal development,[7] followed by The Ant and the Ferrari: Leadership for Leaders (2012).[10]
He wrote and presented the Discovery Channel documentary Speed Science (2005).[11] He has appeared in interviews discussing performance psychology, including on Radio New Zealand regarding preparation for space travel.[12]
Patents
- US 5023809, "Target tracking device"
- US 10915821, "Interaction content system and method utilizing knowledge landscape map"