Lara Aknin

Dr. Lara Aknin is a Professor and Area Coordinator of Social Psychology at Simon Fraser University's Department of Psychology, holding the title of Distinguished University Professor. Her research focuses on prosocial behavior, well-being, and the emotional consequences of generosity. She leads the Helping and Happiness Lab, investigating topics like prosocial spending, inequality, and social relationships. Key recent work includes global analyses of happiness and kindness, studies on reconnecting with old friends, and interventions targeting youth prosociality.

Research Interests: Prosociality, well-being, social mobility, altruism, and the psychological impacts of economic behaviors. Her work bridges experimental methods with real-world applications, emphasizing cross-cultural and longitudinal analyses.

Lab & Collaborations: The Helping and Happiness Lab engages in community-focused projects, including interventions in schools and sport settings. Recent collaborations explore prosociality in youth athletes and ex-offenders. Dr. Aknin is also involved in the Lancet Commission on pandemic lessons and global well-being reporting.