Join Dr. Lara Aknin, a Distinguished Professor of Social Psychology at Simon Fraser University, for an encouraging exploration of the link between generosity and well-being. Drawing from her research, Dr. Aknin reveals how small acts of kindness—whether reconnecting with an old friend or helping a stranger—can boost happiness and strengthen social bonds. As part of the Nourish Whistler Wellness Series, this talk offers insights into the profound impact of human connection on our overall wellness. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how giving can be a powerful tool for personal and collective well-being.
About Dr. Lara Aknin
Dr. Lara Aknin is a Distinguished Professor of Social Psychology at Simon Fraser University. She is also an Editor of the United Nation’s World Happiness Report and a former Fellow with the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. She holds a PhD in Social Psychology from the University of British Columbia.
Dr. Aknin is internationally recognized for her empirical research examining the predictors and
consequences of human generosity and well-being. Her active, high-quality, and influential line of research has attracted widespread attention within academia and at-large. Recognizing her outstanding achievements, Dr. Aknin has been awarded the “President’s New Researcher Award” from the Canadian Psychological
Association, the “Rising Star Award” from the Association for Psychological Science, and the Ruut
Veenhoven Award for exceptional contributions to happiness research. Her research has been published in top-tier academic journals (e.g., Science and Nature Human Behaviour), has been cited over 17,000 times, and is frequently covered in top media outlets, such as the New York Times, CBC, CNN, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Washington Post, and the Globe and Mail. Dr. Aknin is also a deeply committed teacher who has been recognized with the Cormack Teaching Award.
This event is presented in partnership with Tourism Whistler, as part of their Nourish Series.