Clare Mackay

Neuroscientist

I am a professor of neuroscience here in Oxford, and have spent over 30 years studying the structure and function of the human brain. During my first degree in Psychology at Liverpool University, I got hooked on brain imaging, never losing the wonder I feel about being able to look inside the organ that makes us who we are. I went on to use imaging to study a range of diseases and disorders of the brain, including epilepsy (PhD), schizophrenia, mood disorders, then ageing and dementia. In 2023, I decided to turn my attention to the disorder that has been with me all along, and ‘came out’ about my secret shame of living with hair-pulling disorder. I have since written a book (“Keep Your Hair On: Understanding Urges to Pick, Pull or Bite” (Little Brown Books) – launched in April 2026 (pre-order now)), established a number of new collaborations and research projects, and organised the first UK conference for body-focused repetitive behaviour (BFRB). I set up @thetrichprof on social media (Instagram, Facebook and YouTube) and am committed to raising awareness, improving our understanding and reducing stigma around compulsions to pick, pull or bite.

Watch: The 6 things everyone should know about body-focused repetitive behaviours (BFRBs)