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Liz Dunn

Professor of Psychology, University of British Columbia · Co-author, Happy Money and Leave the Lights On · 2019 TED Curator's Pick

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Liz Dunn speaking on stage
Liz Dunn portrait
Audiences leave Elizabeth Dunn's sessions with tested, science-backed ways to turn money, time and technology into happiness, for themselves, their teams and their customers.
Vancouver, Canada
Videos

Watch Liz in Action

Elizabeth Dunn: Helping others makes us happier -- but it matters how we do it | TED Talk (Video)

Bio

About Liz Dunn

"If you have happy employees, you're going to have less turnover and you're going to have more productive, committed workers," says Elizabeth Dunn, one of the world's leading happiness researchers. Dunn runs the Social Cognition and Emotion Lab, affectionately called "The Happy Lab," where her research focuses on how to optimize scarce resources such as time, money and technology to enhance happiness in life and at work.

Her research shows that giving away as little as $5 can spark satisfaction: "When people use money to benefit others, they actually get the biggest return on investment in terms of the happiness gained." She is co-author of Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending, which distills five principles for getting more happiness from money, helping companies create happier employees and offer happier products to their customers.

Topics

Liz's Keynote Topics

As climate change continues to become a more pressing topic by the day, many feel growing anxiety. In this innovative presentation, University of British Columbia psychology professor Elizabeth Dunn introduces strategies for adopting behaviors that empower audiences to lead more sustainable lives while making themselves happier at the same time. Drawing from her “Happy Climate” research and forthcoming book “Leave the Lights On: How Joyful Decisions Can Save Our Species,” Dunn highlights how re-thinking the way we approach food, work and travel can enhance well-being. Audiences will learn simple, practical strategies for identifying the most feasible, impactful and emotionally rewarding changes any of us can make as individuals to support sustainability and boost happiness.

How can we increase employee happiness in a time of ever-changing workplace structures? The key, according to University of British Columbia psychology professor Elizabeth Dunn, is to build a sense of connection within teams. In this uplifting and interactive presentation, she provides audiences with science-backed strategies for creating strong workplace connections. Dunn explains that a critical aspect to unlocking workplace happiness is to catalyze strong personal connections which creates an enduring resource for the organization that continues to be helpful in more difficult times. Audiences will leave with practical steps for letting down their guard, learning about colleagues and strengthening their interpersonal connections in the process.

AI-assisted automation and digital chatbots are increasingly integrated into our lives, but how do these artificial interactions affect our feelings of happiness and social connection? Elizabeth Dunn, Ph.D., a renowned expert in social connection at the University of British Columbia, has published groundbreaking research on the consequences of interacting with chatbots. Her research reveals that interacting with well-programmed chatbots can actually make people feel happier and more connected than interacting with humans—under the right conditions. An enthusiastic, engaging presenter, her insights are crucial for business leaders seeking to enhance customer engagement and employee satisfaction in a technology-driven world. She brings valuable strategies to optimize human-chatbot interactions, ensuring these digital tools enhance rather than diminish the quality of social connections in their organizations. Highly interactive in all engagements, she brings a unique perspective on balancing technology and human touch, an essential skill for organizations incorporating AI tools in their strategy.

The common saying is that money can’t buy happiness. But what if, spent well, it could? In this enlightening talk, University of British Columbia psychology professor Elizabeth Dunn, a leading expert on how spending habits impact happiness and co-author of “Happy Money,” will outline five principles that show how to get more happiness from your money. For example, her research shows that “buying time” is an underutilized strategy for increasing happiness. Dunn’s presentation includes strategies for individuals and organizations to put this idea into practice immediately. Dunn will explain why splurging on the luxury car won’t necessarily make you happier than going with a more affordable vehicle. Attendees will immediately be able to put Dunn’s strategies into practice by learning that right now, you can spend as little as $5 for an instant happiness boost.

There is a science behind happiness and researchers are working hard on revealing it. In this fascinating presentation, University of British Columbia (UBC) psychology professor Elizabeth Dunn, one of the world’s leading happiness experts, will share insights from UBC’s Social Cognition and Emotion Lab, better known as the “Happy Lab.” With the latest research from labs around the world, Dunn will empower audiences with practical strategies that can be put into practice right away to boost well-being in business, at home, and within yourself.

In a time when we’re all constantly connected through technology, many feel like they can’t live without smart phones and connected accessories. But is our technology actually making us happier? In this eye-opening presentation, University of British Columbia psychology professor Elizabeth Dunn, a leading researcher on how time, money, and technology shape human happiness, will explain the hidden costs technology has for our well-being. With the latest insights from her “Happy Lab,” Dunn will share immediately applicable techniques for boosting our happiness and well-being without having to depend on our tech devices.

Advisory & Workshops

How Liz Works with Organizations

Each engagement is built around your goals and audience.

01 · WORKSHOPThe Joy of Climate Change

As climate change continues to become a greater concern by the day, many are feeling anxiety about the future and what they can do to help. In this highly interactive workshop, University of British Columbia psychology professor Elizabeth Dunn, co-author of the forthcoming book “Leave the Lights On: How Joyful Decisions Can Save Our Species,” will help attendees identify specific, feasible changes they can make in their own lives to effectively address climate change while increasing their individual happiness. Although discussions of climate change often generate anxiety or guilt, this upbeat session will highlight how re-thinking the way we approach food, work, and travel can enhance well-being. After getting some shared knowledge on the table, Dunn will invite attendees to work in small teams, serving as one another’s “carbon consultants” to identify the most feasible, impactful and emotionally rewarding changes each can make to support both sustainability and individual happiness.

02 · WORKSHOPThe Science of Social Connection

After years of changing our interactions with each other due to social distancing and remote work, people have a renewed hunger for genuine social connections. In this highly interactive workshop, perfect for organizations with remote and hybrid work models, renowned happiness researcher, University of British Columbia psychology professor Elizabeth Dunn, will provide participants with an uplifting, science-based toolkit for establishing a genuine sense of connection — in person or remotely. After learning about the science behind several techniques for building connection, attendees will get to practice these techniques one-on-one and in small groups, allowing them to connect with their fellow participants. Attendees will leave the workshop with the bonds among co-workers that typically takes months or even years to build. With tools to help spread a feeling of belonging, participants will be able to bring this warm sense of connection not only to their workplaces, but also to their neighborhoods and communities.

Testimonials

Liz and Zoe hit it out of the park this week at BEx! I can't thank you enough for all your help, guidance, suggestions, and coordination in getting them both to the Summit. Call it divine intervention, the universe working in mysterious ways, or just plain luck, the two of them at the same event in the precise order they spoke, was pure magic. Zoe set the stage for vulnerability and authenticity in ways I've never experienced. It's hard to measure, but I have a sneaky suspicion she's the reason people are calling it the best BEx ever. Partly because of her talk but also because she framed the entire experience in a way that only she can. Liz has one of the best stage presence and speaking styles I've ever seen. She has a delightful voice and her use of research, fun stories, enthusiasm, and ability to connect it all for relevance to the audience made her extremely effective. Liz and Zoe comparing notes Monday night is also very much appreciated. I know Liz tailored her talk based on that debrief which is going way above and beyond. Thank you.

Jeff TetzCEO, Results Business Consulting
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