Neurologist Masud Husain wins the 2025 Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize

Our Brains, Our Selves: What a Neurologist’s Patients Taught Him About the Brain by debut author, clinical neurologist and neuroscientist Masud Husain has been announced as the winner of the 2025 Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize. The announcement was made by Sir Adrian Smith, President of the Royal Society at an award ceremony and dinner at the Royal Society in London this evening.

The Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize exists to bridge the divide between the scientific community and the public, championing non-fiction books that use captivating narratives to open science up to a wider audience and embody the joy of science writing.

Our Brains, Our Selves, published by Canongate, stood out to the judges for its combination of beautiful storytelling, cutting-edge science told in an engaging way, and above all for its humanity.

Through the stories of seven of his patients, and in a style reminiscent of the late Oliver Sacks, Husain explores how the brain shapes our identity, and what happens when this identity is disrupted by neurological disorders. As both a clinical neurologist and a neuroscientist, Husain bridges the gap between the people’s conditions and the most up-to-date research and available treatments.

In each patient case study, what begins as a medical mystery slowly unfolds into a profound exploration of identity, memory, and belonging. Trish forgets her husband and believes she is having an affair with him. Wahid sees visions no one else can, leading his community to fear he is possessed. David becomes profoundly apathetic, unable to keep his job or friends. Through each of these lives, Husain illustrates the ripple effects of neurological disorders, showing how changes in the brain reshape not only the individual's behaviour, but the way they connect with the world and those around them.

Dr Sandra Knapp FRS, Chair of the 2025 judging panel, said:

“With Our Brain, Our Selves, Masud Husain has written something that is both scientifically rigorous and deeply engaging, which is no small feat.

“This book is a beautiful exploration of how problems in the brain can cause people to lose their sense of self, such that they become unrecognisable to loved ones or at times rejected by a society to which they felt they belonged. All this is skilfully interwoven with Husain's personal story of moving to the UK as an immigrant in the 1960s, where he found himself grappling with his own sense of belonging.

“Throughout the seven stories of his patients, Husain perfectly balances compassionate and deeply empathetic narratives with clear and expert detail of the inner workings of the brain. Even when the science is complex, you never forget that these are not simply case studies, they are real people, and Husain handles each with a real sense of care and respect."

Clive Cookson from the Financial Times described Our Brains, Our Selves as an “emotionally powerful book” that “delves deeply into the nature of human identity and how this relates to our belonging to a supportive social group.” Leaf Arbuthnot, writing for the Daily Mail, praised Husain’s debut as a “funny, fascinating book” that “is a reminder of how mysterious the workings of the human brain are” and “builds a powerful case for supporting people whose brains have become unruly, rather than isolating them.”

Our Brains, Our Selves was chosen as the winner from a shortlist of six books. Alongside Chair of judges Dr Sandra Knapp FRS, botanist at the Natural History Museum, the 2025 judging panel comprises best-selling crime fiction author, Val McDermid; actor and comedian, Nick Mohammed; Associate Professor of Astronomy at University of Cambridge and Royal Society University Research Fellow, Dr Amy Bonsor; structural engineer known for her work on the Shard and former Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize-shortlisted author for her book Nuts and Bolts, Roma Agrawal; and News Editor at New Scientist, Jacob Aron.

Husain was presented with a cheque for £25,000, with the other five shortlisted authors receiving £2,500.