The Bristol Happiness Lectures have established a reputation for being both enjoyable and interesting, and feature leading speakers on the science of happiness. Developed by Chris Johnstone at Bristol University’s Centre for Public Engagement, they have served as a way of making his positive psychology education programme more accessible. Past speakers have included Professor Raj Persaud (2006) and Dr Ilona Boniwell (2007). In 2008, they focus on the theme of Happiness and Sustainability.

Bristol University’s Centre for Public Engagement presents

THE BRISTOL HAPPINESS LECTURES 2008
SATURDAY 17th MAY 2pm to 5pm
With Oliver James and Chris Johnstone

HAPPINESS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Is the western consumer lifestyle harming our mood as well as the planet?
Can we have richer, happier lives without this costing the earth?

In the last fifty years, material wealth levels have doubled in the UK, yet surveys show people are less happy and levels of depression have soared. Research also suggests that the more materialistic people are, the less happy they tend to be. The Bristol Happiness Lectures brings internationally known speakers to discuss themes around life satisfaction and ways we can improve it. This year’s theme is Happiness and Sustainability, and asks whether our Western consumer society has taken a wrong turning in promoting increased consumption as a path to happiness. Not only does this generate an unsustainable appetite for resources, the research suggests it may also be making us more miserable.

This afternoon of talks reviews research linking the rise of depression in industrialised countries with a throwaway, consumer lifestyle that also harms our world. The speakers explore the complex relationship between life satisfaction and prosperity, mapping out pathways to happier living that can benefit, rather than threaten, the world we live in.

Oliver James is one of the UK’s best-known psychologists, and author of Affluenza and The Selfish Capitalist. He has a website at http://www.selfishcapitalist.com

Chris Johnstone is an addictions specialist, teacher of positive psychology and author of Find Your Power.

Venue: The Powell Lecture Theatre, HH Wills Physics Building, Tyndall Avenue, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 1TL
  
Cost:Tickets are £20 /£10 Concs.
  
To book: Full price tickets only can be ordered on-line at http://www.bristolticketshop.co.uk/
Or by phone on 0870 44 44 400

Alternatively, concessionary (or full price) tickets are available directly from Stewart Mossman at Bristol University. Please send cheques payable to ‘The University of Bristol’, To Stewart Mossman, Centre for Public Engagement, 8-10, Berkeley Square, Bristol BS8 1HH
  
 If booking via the University, please send the following:
 - your postal address
(so we can send you your ticket)
 - your email address if you’d like to be kept informed about future similar events

Enquiries: Please phone 0117 928 7159 or email: cont-ed@bristol.ac.uk

More info: For a You-Tube video of Oliver James talking about Affluenza, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQNbrgiwyGg
 This is taken from The Book Programme, and lasts under 8 minutes.

For an article by Chris Johnstone linking happiness with global issues, download by clicking here.
This is taken from Connect Magazine, July 2006.

TO DOWNLOAD A HAPPINESS LECTURES POSTER, CLICK HERE
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STOP PRESS

THE HAPPINESS TRAINING PLAN AUDIO CD
By Chris Johnstone and Miriam Akhtar
Will be launched at The Bristol Happiness Lectures on May 17th. Describing simple, effective self-help strategies to improve mood, this CD draws on positive psychology research to show how we can teach ourselves ways to become happier.

See Happiness Training CD page for more information.