School of Psychology hosts insightful panel on wellbeing
Te Kura Mātai Hinengaro—School of Psychology recently hosted a thought-provoking panel discussion on the complex nature of wellbeing. The event, "Fresh perspectives on wellbeing," brought together researchers, students, alumni, and members of the public to explore this crucial topic.
![psych-panel.jpg The panellists stand in front of the lecture theatre at the end of the event.](https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/science/about/news/2024/school-of-psychology-hosts-insightful-panel-on-wellbeing/psych-panel-jpg/ls_medium.jpg)
The panel featured three researchers from the School of Psychology—Dr Ellie Rukuwai, Dr Matt Hammond, and Dr Kris Nielsen. Dr Georgia Carson from the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research moderated the conversation, which looked at the various ways wellbeing can be perceived and experienced.
The event began with a fundamental question: "What does wellbeing mean to you?", which highlighted that wellbeing is personal and varies from person to person. The panellists shared insights from their respective fields, including the science of relationships, clinical psychology, and Kaupapa Māori perspectives.
Dr Carson posed questions that looked at the role of culture in wellbeing, the intersection of mental health and overall wellness, and both the challenges to and strategies for achieving wellbeing. A key theme was the importance of relationships in human interactions and their significant impact on our sense of wellbeing.
The discussion also touched on the concept of how our need for connection extends beyond human relationships to include artificial agents, reflecting the evolving landscape of social interactions in the digital age.
The event drew a diverse audience, with attendees from various backgrounds participating in the Q&A session. The engaging questions from the audience underscored the widespread interest in and importance of wellbeing in people's lives.
Dr Hedwig Eisenbarth, an Associate Professor in the School of Psychology and the event’s organiser, reflects on the event: “It was incredibly rewarding to see such a diverse group come together to discuss wellbeing. The questions and perspectives shared by our audience really highlighted how deeply this topic resonates with people across all walks of life. It's clear that wellbeing is not just an academic interest, but a vital concern for our entire community."
This event highlights the School of Psychology's commitment to fostering meaningful discussions on critical issues affecting social, societal, and mental wellbeing. It also demonstrates the value of bringing together different psychological perspectives to provide a more comprehensive understanding of complex topics like wellbeing.
The School of Psychology plans to continue organising such events to bridge the gap between academic research and public understanding of psychological concepts that impact our daily lives.