The pursuit of happiness: Inaugural lecture to explore what makes us happy

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The pursuit of happiness: Inaugural lecture to explore what makes us happy

Ever wondered the secret of true happiness?

The first talk in a new University of Aberdeen annual lecture series will explore the science behind what makes us happy.

Eminent US Psychologist Daniel Gilbert, a professor at Harvard University, will discuss his research that shows people are not good at predicting what will make them happy, how happy it will make them or how long that happiness will last.

Professor Gilbert’s 2007 book Stumbling on Happiness, spent 6 months on the New York Times bestseller list, has being translated into 30 languages, and was awarded the Royal Society's General Book Prize for best science book of the year.

He has won numerous awards for his research and teaching, including the American Psychological Association's Distinguished Scientific Award for an Early Career Contribution to Psychology and was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2008.

His talk will take place in the University’s King’s College Conference Centre on Friday May 16 and is free to attend.

The event is the first Anderson Lecture – a new annual public talk to showcase latest thinking in psychology, established by the University to honour its Anderson Chair in Psychology.

The oldest such chair in the UK, it was founded in 1896 at the bequest of Reverend William Anderson who studied at Marischal College between 1816 and 1819⃰.

Dr Jasna Martinovic from the University of Aberdeen’s School of Psychology said: “We are delighted to welcome Professor Daniel Gilbert to the University to deliver the first talk in this new  lecture series which will bring the latest thinking in psychology to a public audience.

“In his talk Professor Gilbert will give an engaging insight into the science behind happiness, examining what the true sources of happiness are, the role that society plays in defining happiness for us, and how it relates to how we imagine our future.”

Professor Gilbert’s lecture – Happiness: What your mother didn’t tell you - takes place on Friday May 16 from 6.30pm-7.30pm in the University of Aberdeen’s King’s College Conference Centre.

The event is free to attend and booking is not required.

For more information visit: www.abdn.ac.uk/clsm/events/anderson-lecture/index.php