Emeritus Professor of Cognitive Neuropsychology · UCL · Fellow of the British Academy

Prof. Brian Butterworth

Understanding how the brain counts.

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About the Author

Prof. Brian Butterworth

A leading cognitive neuroscientist renowned for his pioneering research on how the brain processes numbers.

Emeritus Professor of Cognitive Neuropsychology at University College London, Brian taught at Cambridge for eight years, has held visiting appointments at MIT and the Max Planck Institute, and was elected Fellow of the British Academy in 2002.

With over 230 published papers and several bestselling books, his work has been instrumental in developing effective interventions for dyscalculia and transforming how we understand mathematical cognition.

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Most mathematics education focuses on: rote memorisation, procedural drilling, and standardised testing.

We focus on: how the brain actually counts.

Areas of Work

A lifetime dedicated to understanding numbers

Mathematical Cognition

How the brain processes numbers

Prof. Butterworth's pioneering research revealed that humans — and many animals — are born with an innate "number sense." His work on the brain's intraparietal sulcus has reshaped our understanding of how we count, calculate, and reason with quantity.

Dyscalculia

Championing recognition of a hidden learning difference

Dyscalculia affects 5–7% of the population worldwide, yet remains vastly under-diagnosed. Prof. Butterworth has spent decades advocating for recognition, developing the first standardised screener, and working with governments and educators to change policy.

Education & Policy

Bridging neuroscience and the classroom

From advising the UK Department for Education to developing evidence-based intervention tools, Prof. Butterworth's mission is to ensure every learner with dyscalculia gets the support they need.

Dyscalculia Resources →