The world-recognised pioneer of the 'growth mindset' – the concept that abilities and intelligence are not fixed but can be developed and expanded – will be in Dublin this evening to deliver a keynote lecture at RCSI, which is embracing her concepts in its curriculum transformation project.

Professor Carol S. Dweck, Stanford University Psychology Professor and author of the bestselling Mindset will deliver the 3rd RCSI Foley lecture at the College in St Stephen’s Green tonight. She will explain how a growth mindset is crucial for all education, and she will focus on its application for the education of medical and other healthcare professionals in her talk: 'Medical Minds: Growth for Healthcare Professionals'.

A growth mindset involves a belief that intelligence and talent are just a starting point for every individual and that most abilities can be further developed through dedication, sound educational strategies and support and input from others.

RCSI CEO Professor Cathal Kelly said: “The teachings in ‘growth mindset’ are integral to the education and ethos espoused by RCSI. When students and healthcare professionals believe that they can not only learn but can also get smarter, they put in extra time and effort and achieve more. The concept has influenced us as we develop our curriculum for the healthcare professionals of the future.”

According to Professor Dweck: “Almost every area of human endeavour can be influenced by how we view our talents and abilities. With the right mindset, educators in all walks of life can motivate those they lead, teach and treat to improve their learning and their lives.”

RCSI is working to introduce and foster a 'growth mindset' approach to its educational programmes in order to help students to flourish, both during their student days and in their long-term careers. According to Professor Kelly: “Many of our students have come from second level education systems that are more focused on knowledge learning and retrieval than on discovery and innovation. The growth mindset approach will enable them to learn to grow and optimise their abilities and skills”.

Education at RCSI is focused in particular on developing professional skills, including those of leadership and resilience. Resilience is particularly important in professional environments of high stress, where the ability to look after one’s own health and wellbeing must be actively prioritised and nurtured, to ensure high-quality functioning in healthcare settings.

The RCSI Foley Lecture:

The RCSI Foley Lecture is a biannual lecture supported by a bequest from Dr Michael Foley, a graduate of the Class of 1950. Its purpose is to feature eminent individuals globally renowned as educators, leaders and pioneers to enrich RCSI’s extensive community of healthcare professionals.

Professor Carol Dweck:

Carol S. Dweck, PhD, is one of the world’s leading researchers in the field of motivation and is the Lewis and Virginia Eaton Professor of Psychology at Stanford. Her research demonstrates the critical role of mindsets in personal achievement and organizational effectiveness. She has also held professorships at Columbia and Harvard Universities, has lectured to education, business, and sports groups all over the world, and has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences. She has won 9 lifetime achievement awards for her research, including the Atkinson Prize in Psychological and Cognitive Science from the National Academy of Sciences, the Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award from the American Psychological Association, and the Wilbur Cross Medal from Yale University. Her best-selling book Mindset (Random House) has been widely acclaimed and has been translated into over 25 languages.

About RCSI:

RCSI is an international not-for-profit health sciences institution, founded in 1784, with its headquarters in Dublin. It is focused on education and research to drive improvements in human health worldwide. It is ranked among the top 250 (top 2%) of universities worldwide in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2018) and its research is ranked first in Ireland for citations. It is a signatory of the Athena SWAN Charter.