Emory University Sociologist to Speak in Happiness Series
Corey Keyes, professor of sociology at Emory University, is the fourth speaker in Washington and Lee University’s year-long “Questioning the Good Life” interdisciplinary seminar. His talk will be Thursday, Jan. 17, at 4:30 p.m. in Stackhouse Theater, Elrod Commons.
The title of Keyes’ talk, which is free and open to the public, is “To Happiness and Beyond: Flourishing in Life and Real Healthcare Reform.”
Keyes is a leader in the field of positive psychology. His influential empirical work has focused on the measurement of positive mental health as a complement to the well-elaborated measures of mental illness that exist in the field of psychology. Optimal mental health is conceptualized as flourishing, characterized by fulfillment, purpose, meaning and happiness.
Keyes’ work has far-reaching policy implications. In 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services invited him to participate in the first “health-related quality of life and well-being” working group to create health objectives for the U.S. Healthy People 2020 program.
Keyes is the editor or co-editor of eight books and journals. He also wrote, edited or co-edited 48 journal articles, with one in press, including “Chronological and Subjective Age Differences in Flourishing Mental Health and Major Depressive Episode,” 2012, Aging and Mental Health; and “The Relationship of Level of Positive Mental Health with Current Mental Disorders in Predicting Suicidal Behavior and Academic Impairment in College Students,” 2012, Journal of American College Health.
Keyes has been interviewed on multiple radio and television programs and for magazine articles such as the BBC Radio Foyle (Northern Ireland); BBC Radio “Talkback” show, Belfast, Ireland (2008); CNN Headline News story on the baby boomers turning 60 (2006); WTOP “All News Radio” in Washington, D.C.; and in the Atlanta Magazine “How To” section on “How to be Happier” (2008).
Since 2007 Keyes has been a member of the advisory board for the World Happiness Forum.
Keyes received his B.A. from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, and his M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
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Julie Cline
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