Casey Fellows Speaker Series

As part of the Upper Canada College Casey Fellow Speaker Series, UCC was proud to present this year’s second Casey Fellow Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, who talked about how happiness and wellbeing not only feel good; they are good. Dr. Lyubomirsky was present at UCC on Monday, November 27, 2023.

Thriving teachers and flourishing students are more productive, creative and resilient, and they show superior physical health and less burnout. Furthermore, she expanded on the premise that feeling socially connected is the key to happiness and wellbeing and discuss how one can intentionally increase their happiness, wellbeing and connectedness. 

Dr. Lyubomirsky described both classic and brand-new research, revealing when and why such practices as expressing gratitude, doing acts of kindness and engaging in more social interactions work “best” and how small and simple activities can transform us into happier and more flourishing individuals. Dr. Lyubomirksy shared how parents, guardians, educators, alumni and other members of our UCC community can develop these life skills and habits that lead to wellbeing in themselves — and how they can foster them in their children and students. 

Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, PhD, is Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of California and New York Times best-selling author of The How of Happiness and The Myths of Happiness (published in 39 countries). She received her BA summa cum laude from Harvard University and her PhD in social psychology from Stanford University. 

Lyubomirsky’s research — on the possibility of lastingly increasing happiness and wellbeing via gratitude, kindness and “connection interventions” — has made her the recipient of many grants and honours, including an honorary doctorate from the University of Basel, the Diener Award for Outstanding Midcareer Contributions in Personality Psychology, the Christopher J. Peterson Gold Medal, the Distinguished Research Lecturer Award, and a Positive Psychology Prize. She lives in Santa Monica, California, with her family.