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  • 2017
  • So what makes us happy?

So what makes us happy?

Seven surprising findings from research into happiness will be revealed by a researcher at one of a series of talks starting this month.

12 April 2017

The study of happiness has exploded in the last couple of decades, but have we learned anything we didn’t really know already? Tom Bourner, from the University of Brighton, has unearthed some of the more unexpected findings from this research.

The talks ‘Brains at the Bevy’, the second series of its kind, forms part of the National Collaborative Outreach Programme. Speakers are mainly University of Brighton academics and other topics covered include free speech, air pollution and what we can do about growing old.

They will start at 6pm on Wednesdays at The Bevy, the Bevendean co-operative pub in Hillside, Brighton, and the first community-owned pub on a housing estate in the UK.

They are organised by the pub and the University of Brighton’s Community University Partnership Programme (CUPP), with funding by the Sussex Learning Network. 

Dr Mark Doidge

Dr Mark Doidge at last year's Brains at the Bevy

The Bevy is a community-owned and run business with money coming from trusts, charities and grants. Those interested in attending should email cupp@brighton.ac.uk and are being asked which of the following they wish to attend –

Free Speech: A Myth-Buster with Dr Adrianne Shahvisi (Brighton and Sussex Medical School), Wednesday 19 April: What is freedom of speech? Why is it so important, and what sort of harm can it cause when misused? Should we strive to be ‘politically correct’? This talk will make the controversial argument that political correctness does not stand in the way of freedom of speech, instead it aims to make our communication more widely accessible, and should be celebrated.

Encouraging Creativity in Uncertain Young Lives with Dr Vicky Johnson (University of Brighton), and colleagues, 24 May: Researchers and youth workers will present 'rivers of life' and stories about uncertainty in the lives of young people growing up in Ethiopia, Nepal and Brighton. Uncertainty may not only be negative, but may also offer moments of creativity and excitement,  leading to new opportunities for young people as they develop their identities and relationships. Vicky will be joined by colleagues Milki Getachew, Shubhendra Man Shrestha, Juliet Millican and members of the Trust for Developing Communities.

All at Sea? Brighton and Hove’s Changing Seafront with Professor Fred Gray (University of Sussex), 28 June: A look at the history of the seafront – perhaps the most important thing that makes Brighton and Hove what it is; the challenges it now faces (both from nature and the immense cost of renewing Victorian infrastructure) and how local people can have a say in the changes taking place.

Local Air Pollution: Our Health and Our Environment with Dr Kirsty Smallbone (University of Brighton), 26 July: Those most at risk from local air pollution are the elderly, children and those with heart or lung conditions. Without preaching, Dr Smallbone will talk about the problems of air pollution, where it comes from, how it affects us, our children, our parents and our environment and importantly, discuss what may be the best ways to reduce our exposure to it.

How we grow old, why we grow old and what we can do about it? Professor Richard Faragher (University of Brighton), 30 August: He will explain that we now understand the major mechanisms that cause humans and other animals to grow old, why these exist and what we can potentially do to promote, healthier and therefore longer lives. This talk is in partnership with the British Science Festival.

Football and the Refugee Crisis with Dr Mark Doidge (University of Brighton), 27 September: When people think of the refugee crisis, football may be far from people’s minds. But the world’s most popular game is helping communities and refugees build bridges. Football provides many benefits for local communities anyway – social interaction, health and mental health benefits, fun – and for refugees, these benefits are so important. This talk will discuss the refugee crisis and the important role football can play.

Why Are We Paying So Much Rent? Dr Rebecca Searle (University of Brighton), 25 October: By thinking about the history of housing in Britain in the 20th Century, this talk will explore the reasons why rents have become increasingly unaffordable. It will think about how and why housing policy has shifted over the last 100 years and the extent to which alternative policy approaches in the past might offer solutions to today’s housing crisis.

Happiness: 7 Surprising Findings from Happiness Research with Tom Bourner, 29 November.

To book any of these talks or for more information, email cupp@brighton.ac.uk.

*Brains at the Bevy was awarded a Highly Commended certificate by the University Association for Lifelong Learning at its conference in York on 6 April.

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