معرفی
Dr. Elizabeth Dunn is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia, Faculty of Arts. Her research examines how time, money, and technology shape human happiness, with a secondary focus on health. She co-authored the book "Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending" with Dr. Michael Norton and has given talks at TED, PopTech!, and TEDx.
Dr. Dunn earned her PhD from the University of Virginia in 2004. Her academic journey has been marked by numerous accolades, including being named a "rising star" by the Chronicle of Higher Education in 2004.
Her research primarily focuses on the science of happiness, examining how prosocial spending, time management, and technology use affect well-being. She investigates how to promote rewarding social interactions using technology and how spending decisions shape happiness in everyday life. Her work has appeared in top journals, with three papers published in Science. Recent research has expanded into climate action framing, AI companionship effects, and recycling behavior.
Dr. Dunn's research portfolio shows a consistent focus on practical applications of happiness science. Her work has evolved from examining basic happiness mechanisms to applying these principles to contemporary issues like climate change, digital technology impacts, and environmental behavior. She frequently employs experimental methods and large-scale data analysis to understand how small behavioral changes can significantly impact well-being.
- Royal Society of Canada's College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists (2015)
- Society for Personality and Social Psychology Fellow (2014)
- Social Science and Humanities Research Council Impact Connection Award Finalist (2014, 2015)
- Killam Faculty Research Fellowship (2011)
- Killam Faculty Research Prize (2010)
- Robert E. Knox Master Teaching Award (2010)
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research New Investigator Award (2010)
- Mind Gym Academic Prize Honouree (2007)
- Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies – Early Career Scholar (2007)
- Chronicle of Higher Education Rising Star (2004)
Dr. Dunn has supervised numerous graduate students through the UBC Psychology Department's MA and PhD programs. While she is not currently accepting new graduate students for fall 2025, her lab has been instrumental in training the next generation of happiness researchers. Her research has been supported by significant grants including the Killam Faculty Research Fellowship and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research New Investigator Award. She is also a co-author of influential books that translate academic research into practical advice for the public.
Dr. Dunn leads an active research laboratory focused on happiness and well-being. Her team conducts experimental research examining how time, money, and technology shape human happiness. The lab has expanded its focus to include contemporary issues such as the impact of AI on social connection, climate action framing, and sustainable behavior. The lab's work combines rigorous experimental methodology with real-world applications to help people optimize their pursuit of happiness.
