Barbara L. Fredrickson

Barbara L. Fredrickson serves as Kenan Distinguished Professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, directing the Positive Emotions and Psychophysiology Laboratory. Recognized among the most highly cited scientists globally, her work bridges academic research and practical applications for human flourishing.

Her research centers on how positive emotions influence psychological resilience, physical health, and social connections. Through rigorous psychophysiological studies, she explores mechanisms linking emotional experiences to long-term well-being, with implications for clinical interventions and public health policy. Her theoretical frameworks, including the broaden-and-build theory, have reshaped understanding of human emotional dynamics.

Dr. Fredrickson's scientific accolades include:

• TANG Prize for Achievements in Psychology (2017) - Awarded for exceptional career contributions to humanity's well-being through empirical research on positive emotions

As former president of both the International Positive Psychology Association and the Society for Affective Science, she has shaped global discourse in emotion science. Her laboratory remains an active hub for interdisciplinary research on how everyday positive experiences—from micro-moments of connection to sustained emotional states—enhance physiological functioning and societal health outcomes.