

Clare Bowditch is a well-loved songwriter, writer, social commentator, and stay-at-home mother of three who enjoys exchanging garden-cuttings with her elderly neighbours. Occasionally, she gets to spend whole months touring with other acclaimed musicians like Leonard Co…more ›

Ed Diener is the Joseph R. Smiley Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of Illinois. He is considered by many to be the foremost expert on the science of happiness and life satisfaction. Diener has been a faculty member at the University of Illinois fo…more ›

His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama, is the leader of Tibetan Buddhism and a spiritual leader revered worldwide. His travels in the cause of peace and a free Tibet have made him an international celebrity. Awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1989 for his non-violent strugg…more ›

Biological Anthropologist, Chief Scientific Advisor to Match.com, professor and author Dr. Helen Fisher is a leading expert on the biology of gender differences, love and human personality. Her groundbreaking research includes the emerging field of business chemistry, h…more ›

Russ's background is in medicine. He qualified as a doctor in 1989, in the UK before migrating to Australia in 1991, and setting up practice as a GP in Melbourne. As a GP, he became increasingly interested in the psychological aspects of health and wellbeing, which …more ›

Carl Honoré is an award-winning journalist and author. After graduating from Edinburgh University with a degree in Modern History and Italian, he spent time working with street children in Brazil. He has covered Europe and South America for the Economist, Observer,…more ›

Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D., is a leading researcher in the field of motivation and is Professor of Psychology at Stanford University. Her research focuses on how to foster the motivation and resilience that people need to reach their goals. She has lectured to education, bus…more ›

Michael Leunig is known as a cartoonist, philosopher, poet and artist. His commentary on political, cultural and emotional life spans thirty-five years and has often explored the idea of an innocent and sacred personal world. He describes his approach as regressive, mes…more ›

Nic Marks founded nef's award-winning Centre for Well-being and is a recognised expert in the field of well-being research. Nic has devised methodologies to measure well-being and interprets findings in a way that makes sense for policy makers, practitioners and the…more ›

Gretel Killeen is the author of more than twenty books. She has hosted radio and television programs across the country, worked as a journalist, stand-up comic and voice artist and written and directed works to raise awareness of AIDS orphans in Zambia, unexploded ordin…more ›

Dr. Todd Kashdan is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Senior Scientist at the Center for Consciousness and Transformation at George Mason University, where he was awarded the 2010 Distinguished Faculty Member of the Year. Kashdan is one of the leading authorities…more ›

Nigel Westlake is one of Australia's foremost composers with a career spanning over three decades. He has composed award-winning scores for film and television and writes extensively for the concert hall, creating profoundly evocative music that touches the soul. In…more ›

Michelle McQuaid is a proven expert in bringing out the best in people at work. With her playful, scientific approach Michelle fuses positive psychology and neuroscience into simple, practical actions that anyone can take to create life-changing habits that last. Throu…more ›

Linda Lantieri is an internationally known expert in social-emotional learning and contemplative teaching and learning with over 40 years of experience in the field of education. She is co-founder of the Resolving Conflict Creatively Program (RCCP), a research-based K-8…more ›

Fr Bob Maguire AM RFD, is one of our unheralded, truly Australian heroes. Throughout his life he has never stopped questioning the establishment - political or religious. Fr. Bob's goal has always been to provide a semblance of basic human relationships and trust t…more ›
Now in its 8th amazing year and for the first time in Melbourne, Happiness & Its Causes is the world’s leading forum examining the varied causes of a happy and meaningful life. Join special guest His Holiness the Dalai Lama and 35+ amazing speakers in a fascinating exploration of human happiness and wellbeing.
Keynotes include Ed Diener, USA, pioneering psychologist and world’s foremost expert on the science of happiness and life satisfaction, Helen Fisher, USA, renowned anthropologist and leading expert on romantic love, Michael Leunig, much loved cartoonist, philosopher, poet and artist, Australian National Living Treasure, Carol Dweck, USA, acclaimed psychologist and researcher in the field of motivation and Nigel Westlake, award-winning composer and musician; film scores include Babe and Miss Potter, founder Smugglers of Light Foundation.

Enjoy our potent mix of cutting edge research, philosophical, scientific and social perspectives and inspiring personal stories.
Be inspired and informed by amazing speakers including Carl Honoré, UK, leading proponent of the Slow Movement, Clare Bowditch, Aria Award winning Melbourne singer and songwriter, Nic Marks, UK, innovative wellbeing researcher, New Economics Foundation, Michelle McQuaid, positive psychology researcher, author and workplace trainer, Father Bob Maguire AM, a man of passion, creativity and humour, Gretel Killeen, media presenter and author, Professor Todd Kashdan, USA, clinical psychologist and pioneering researcher into curiosity, resilience and happiness, Linda Lantieri, USA, pioneering educator and international expert in social and emotional learning and resilience, Russ Harris, medical practitioner, psychotherapist, internationally-recognised ACT trainer and many more ...
Be stimulated by a meeting of extraordinary minds grappling with the most important issues for enhancing happiness and wellbeing for ourselves and others.
We'll explore:
Be part of the world’s largest forum exploring human happiness and well-being – attracting people of all ages and from all walks of life, including professionals in:
Don’t forget our morning and afternoon workshops, for going more deeply into conference themes.
We have the following workshops on offer: