About
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Dr John Kelly
Founder and Director of Fingerprint Learning Limited
Dr John Kelly is a consultant in Upstream Thinking in Education, Business, Health and Wellbeing. He works with individuals and organisations to realise their potential through understanding how our brains are uniquely ’wired’ for learning, thinking, problem-solving and innovation. By encouraging ‘upstream’ thinking’ he empowers individuals and teams to develop and apply effective ‘downstream’ game-changing interventions in their work personal lives and world.
John qualified in Medicine at Queen’s University, Belfast, in 1974 and worked in hospital and General Practice in Northern Ireland. In the 1980’s he focused his attention on how the brain learns and formed Fingerprint Learning in 2007 to inform and encourage people of all ages to engage with the benefits of ‘whole brain’, personalised learning and working.
Since the 1990s the exponential growth of how discoveries in neuroscience apply to education, personal wellbeing and organisational success has been revolutionary. John dedicated himself to developing applications of these discoveries to all of these spheres of life.
His 4A Educational programmes have been used in schools, universities, training organisations, community groups and prisons in Northern Ireland for 20 years.
Fingerprint Learning has used the Fingerprint Mindset Profile for organisational development and team-building in the public and private sectors. The Mindset Profile was developed from 6 years of ground-breaking research – the EntreBRAINeur Studies – conducted jointly with Stranmillis University College and commissioned by two Northern Ireland Government Departments.
John’s medical background equipped him to develop the Fingerprint Learning BrainFit Programme for mental and emotional health and wellbeing and for prevention of dementia.
He is the author of Whole Brain Teaching and Learning: An introduction for teachers, parents and learners of all ages. He has developed psychometrics designed to match students to appropriate employment opportunities. These are presently used by the Malaysian Government in matching thousands of students to appropriate careers.
John gives engaging presentations on Education, Team Building for Business Success, and Physical and Mental Wellbeing, to audiences from 20 to 300 people
He was a co-founder of Kiwoko Hospital in Loweero, Uganda, in 1988, following years of devastation and genocidal warfare. The hospital serves now serves a population of 800,000 rural Ugandans.
John and his wife Jenny reside in Bangor, Northern Ireland.
Here are examples of what our clients think of our work in their organisations
Dr Brian Cummins
Senior Lecturer in Education
Stranmmillis University College
Belfast
Northern Ireland
As a Teacher and Teacher Educator for 35 years, my experience is that what motivates individuals to engage and succeed in education is influenced by many things, from living and dealing with trauma and adversities at one end, to constantly seeking perfectionism at the other. For a majority in society a ‘one-size fits all’ does not work in education. The insights and guidance of Dr Kelly have led to Fingerprint Learning developing excellent training and resources to assist individuals to better understand their strengths and areas for development and how their individuality directly affects their success in education and work. Not only does Fingerprint Learning motivate individuals to believe in their strengths as a stepping-stone to further success, it also helps people to see that what drives them is not the same as others, such as, a child in their class or a colleague at work. Regardless of the structure of the education system, the curriculum, professional development and lifelong learning, success will depend on the degree to which an individual is self-driven. Fingerprint Learning provides this direction.
Professor Peter Finn,
Principal, St Mary’s University College
Belfast
Northern Ireland
The training delivered by Fingerprint Learning to our academic staff in June 2025 was of a high quality. It was rigorous, engaging and delivered with real passion. Staff feedback was positive, with many highlighting the immediate relevance and impact on their pedagogy and potential research.
Jim McDaid
Principal Hazelwood Integrated Primary School
Belfast
Northern Ireland
Dr John Kelly from Fingerprint Learning worked closely with our teachers to explain the secret of effective teaching and learning. He helped explain the science behind what we do every day in our classrooms and how we can improve the outcomes and learning experiences for our pupils.
Head of Learning Support
Boys Model School
Belfast
There was such positivity about the workshop today – one CLA said ‘it was the best training she has ever experienced’. Such a compliment!
David Patterson
Former Principal
Lowwood Primary School
Belfast
Fingerprint Learning worked with our staff and pupils for over 10 years to embed a holistic approach to learning and teaching that made a significant effect on the self-worth of students in valuing their unique individuality and the value of difference in the classroom. Children were motivated through the use and rewarding of Smartnesses and linking these to potential careers.”
Louise Spence
Manager of North Down Community Network
DICE Youth Programme.
We believe that the experience of being educated should build and inspire everyone. Our work with Fingerprint Learning has helped us connect young people to the brilliance we see in them, and really inspire them to believe in their strengths, ability and potential. We all speak the same language now when it comes to learning and development and that is priceless.”