|
|
Dr
Nick Baylis
Cambridge University Well-being
Scientist
and Practising Psychologist
Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts
for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce |
 |
|
Based at Cambridge University since 1994, I'm attempting
to understand the hows and whys of wonderful lives, looking
for the most promising routes to healthy, helpful, and good-hearted
living.
One of the most exciting developments in this mission is
my new research & training initiative 'Sharing
the Lessons of a Lifetime' which I launched in January
2006. This is a not-for-profit programme which aims to harness
the personal insights from some benevolent individuals so
as to help foster well-being in schools and colleges, hospices
and hospitals, businesses and government.
In my first ever book, 'Learning
from Wonderful Lives: lessons from the study of well-being',
I explain what we've discovered so far. I have written this
for a very general readership so that everyone can benefit
from all the principles and strategies, skills and experiences,
that seem to help life go better, no matter where we're
starting from.
I thoroughly enjoy working as a coach and psychologist with
people of all ages, and for two years I wrote a weekly column
on 'The Science of Happiness' for The Times. My other roles
have been as co-convenor of The Royal Society three-day
conference on The Science of Well-being in November 2003,
and as co-editor of the special issue of the Royal Society
journal and of the Oxford University Press book, which both
emerged from this seminal meeting. (Publications)
Before Cambridge, I studied with the Open University, and
then taught creative writing in Feltham Young Offenders
Prison. There, as a volunteer, I founded Trail-Blazers,
a mentorship project for the young inmates (www.trail-blazers.org.uk)
Since April 2000, I have broadcast at www.YoungLivesUK.com
my findings from an exploratory study intended to inspire
individuals and organisations on the theme of 'How to achieve
your goals in life, and how to enjoy the journey'. YoungLives
was in many ways my earliest prototype for the Research
& Training Initiative that the Institute is now launching
this spring of 2006.
Having earned my PhD from Cambridge University some years
ago, I now feel very privileged to be here as Britain's
first lecturer in the emerging fields of 'Positive Psychology
& The Science of Well-being', passing on what we know
about the study of lives that thrive and flourish, and of
lives that make fine progress even in the face of adversity.
Helping to create the Well-being Institute with Professor
Felicia Huppert, represents a very welcome milestone for
some long-held hopes.
For more background, please visit www.NickBaylis.com
Thank you for reading! |
| |
|
