Kathryn Britton, MAPP '06, former software engineer, is a coach working with professionals to increase well-being, energy, and meaning in their work lives (Theano Coaching LLC). She is also a writing coach, facilitator of writing workshops, and teacher of positive workplace concepts at the University of Maryland. Her own books include Smarts and Stamina on using positive psychology principles to build strong health habits and Character Strengths Matter: How to Live a Full Life. Full bio. Kathryn's articles are here.
This will be the sixth time the conference has been held. Each time has had a specific theme. The theme this year is “Creating a psychologically healthy workplace: Meaning, spirituality and engagement.” Here are words from the conference announcement:
Work is more than a means of making a living or creating wealth. It can also be a higher calling that ennobles the soul, endows life with meaning, and enhances humanity.
Much can be done to humanize the workplace, to which we devote most of our adult life. Much needs to be done to discover the transcendental and transformative dimensions of honest work.
Speakers will include many positive psychology contributors whose names appear frequently PPND, including
- Robert Biswas-Diener
- Todd Kashdan, from George Mason University
- Diana Whitney, a founder of Appreciative Inquiry
- Kathryn Britton (I am going to discuss a shared and valued purpose at work.)
- Alex Linley from the Centre of Applied Positive Psychology.
- Ryan Niemiec from the VIA Institute
There will also be people from existential psychology and other contexts. Check out the conference site for the growing list of speakers. Some specific examples include:
- Alexander Batthyany from the Viktor Frankl Institute, Vienna
- Merv Gilbert, of the Psychologically Healthy Workplace Collaborative in British Columbia
- Salvatore R. Maddi from the University of California (Irvine) and The Hardiness Institute
- Michael Novak, author of Business as a Calling: Work and the Examined Life
The announcement describes the conference as ideal for all those concerned with positive organizational development. Continuing education credits will be available through the Milton Erickson Foundation.
In the words of Dr. Paul Wong, conference chairman,
“This is one of the few international conferences where some of the best minds in positive psychology and existential psychology meet face to face in the same room. We expect to see creative sparks flying as we share research findings and theoretical ideas, and as we debate what makes for a positive workplace and how to live the good life.”
Vancouver BC
I am looking forward to becoming a Meaning Partner. Come join us in Vancouver – it is usually beautiful there in August.
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Convention Center, Vancouver BC courtesy of mybulldog
6 comments
Hello
I am very interested indeed in this conference but unfortunately live in London, England and won’t be able to go. Will the proceedings become available?
Thank you very much for publicising it.
Francesca,
I will be writing summaries similar to the ones that Bridget has just posted for the European Conference on Positive Psychology in Denmark. I’ll forward your question about proceedings to the conference chair, Dr. Paul Wong.
Kathryn
Yes, we will publish proceedings. You may order the previous conference proceedings “The Positive Psychology of Meaning and Spirituality” form me.
Paul Wong
http://www.PaulWong.com
In celebration of its Golden Jubilee, the Indo-American Society (IAS) is proud to convene the first ever Indo-American Summit on Higher Education during 30, 31 July 2010 and 1 August 2010 at the Hotel Grand Hyatt, Mumbai.
The Summit will present participants with an invaluable opportunity to collaborate with key business, political and academic personalities at a national and international level and address important issues, particularly in regard to policy framing and regulations and international partnerships.
I would like to send a paper for presentation at the conference, but won’t be able to attend it. Can I just mail my paper, and if it is accepted, will it published in the proceedings? How to get a copy of the proceedings of this conference? What is the procedure for that? Kindly reply.
Thanks and regards!
You need to register for the conference in order to present and be included in the Conference proceedings, but you can submit a paper to our journal — The International Journal of Existential Psychology and Psychotherapy, which is home for existentially oriented positive psychology and positive psychotherapy.