The Nordic countries consistently rank highly on several wellbeing and sustainability indices such as the United Nations’ World Happiness Report, the Human Development Index, and the OECD’s Better Life Index. But why have these countries become the world’s “happiness superpowers”, and what are the contemporary challenges and opportunities that these countries face in delivering continued wellbeing for their population?
Northeastern University recently invited Phibon to give a series of guest lectures as part of their Honors Bachelor summer program on the topic of “Happiness and Sustainability in the Nordics”. The course focused on understanding how wellbeing indicators are created and used, and examined the successes and challenges faced by the Nordic countries in achieving and maintaining high levels of happiness and sustainability. The students also had the opportunity to consider the potential for exporting Nordic practices to other countries, such as the United States.
As a part of a Bachelor program, this course was academic in nature, drawing on the research fields of subjective wellbeing, wellbeing economics and sustainability studies. Phibon gave the 6 lectures on the following topics:
1. Introduction to Wellbeing Research
This lecture introduced the overall course and the research field of subjective wellbeing. In this session, we explored the term happiness and delimited it from other concepts of wellbeing. We reviewed the objective benefits of subjective wellbeing and gained initial insights into the determinants of personal happiness and societal happiness.
2. The Science of Subjective Wellbeing
This session shed light on the methods used to measure happiness. We discussed the three dimensions of happiness - evaluation, affect, and eudemonia - their means of measurement, and the way they were used in happiness research. We evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of survey-based methods, and compared them with alternative ways of measuring subjective wellbeing, such as through big data, brain activity or behavior monitoring.
2. Environments and Cultures of Wellbeing
Why do the Nordic countries consistently rank at the top of the World Happiness Reports? In this session, we examined how various factors such as the political, economic, societal, and built environment can impact personal happiness. We also explored the characteristics of the Nordic countries, including the welfare state, high levels of interpersonal trust, and low levels of income inequality, that contribute to their high levels of wellbeing. Finally, we discussed the impact of cultural factors on the measurement of subjective wellbeing.
3. Mental Health, Happiness and Sustainability
Mental and physical health are crucial determinants of subjective wellbeing. In this lecture, we examined the ways in which health and mental health can affect subjective wellbeing. We discussed the business case for treating mental health problems and how these issues are becoming more prevalent among young people. We also looked at the impact of loneliness on wellbeing, as well as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on loneliness at a societal level. Finally, we explored the positive impact of nature on personal wellbeing.
4. Wellbeing Economy the Politics of Wellbeing
What would societies be like if GDP was not the primary indicator of a society’s success? In this lecture, we explored the pros and cons of economic growth as a measure of wellbeing. We considered the theoretical and practical aspects of a wellbeing economy, using evidence from countries such as New Zealand, Scotland, Finland, Iceland, and Wales, which are members of the Wellbeing Economy Governments’ Partnership. We also examined how these countries use wellbeing and sustainability indicators as an alternative to GDP.
5. Wellbeing at Work
Unemployment can have a significant negative impact on wellbeing, while work is often one of the least satisfying activities for those who are employed. In this session, we discussed the factors that contribute to job satisfaction and the objective benefits of having satisfied employees. We also explored how companies can benefit from wellbeing research and how wellbeing indicators can be incorporated into organizational processes. The students also had the opportunity to discuss the future of happiness at work.
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