DoctorDwain Allan

Dr. Dwain D. Allan is the founding director of Taiwhanga Whakahaere Hinengaro – The Mind Control Lab at the University of Canterbury and a leading expert on the psychology of success. His work focuses on how we can change, direct, and harness the power of the mind to unlock greater potential and achieve success in a world of accelerated flux. He is especially interested in the subjective aspects of the mind — and, more particularly, the profound but hidden influence they exert on objective reality. In addition to his core research programme, Dr. Allan is a recognised authority in the fields of human–AI interaction, social robotics, systems science, and the relationship between the mind and social technology products.

Beyond academia, Dr. Allan is a respected founder, board member, advisor, and go-to expert for success-motivated individuals. Clients include world-class founders, CEOs, executives, athletes, coaches, and thought leaders, whom he teaches how to use his models and methods. Unsurprisingly, therefore, Dr. Allan has a special interest in producing scholarly knowledge that is both theoretically important and practically useful.

 

His iwi affiliations include Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Raukawa, and Ngāti Whakaue.

 

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Research Topics:

 

➟ Success Psychology

➟ Mindsets and Self Beliefs

➟ Mental Performance and Psychological Thriving

➟ Mind and Behaviour Change

➟ Psychological Interventions

➟ Meaning and Mental Representation

➟ Placebos and Self-Fulfilling Prophecies

➟ Plasticity and Change

➟ Confidence and Self-Efficacy

➟ Psychological Construction and Perceptual Control 

➟ Computational and Theoretical Neuroscience of Feedback

➟ Drive and Motivation

➟ Peak Performance and Coaching Psychology

➟ Executive and Leadership Psychology

➟ Social Influence and Cyberpsychology

 

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UC Research Commitments:

 

➟ Societal Resilience

➟ Sustainable Futures

➟ Technology for Real-World Benefit

 

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Media Keywords:

 

➟ Psychology 

➟ Success 

➟ Beliefs 

➟ Mindsets

➟ Achievement 

➟ High-Performance

➟ Mental Performance

➟ Mental Wellbeing

➟ Winning

➟ Flourishing 

➟ Thriving

 

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📌  Dr. Allan is not currently considering PhD students. If you're interested in working with the lab, please complete the Lab Membership Form → HERE.