Knowledge Dissemination

Challenge

The challenge was to create a comprehensive academic elective course on Nordic Wellbeing and Sustainability for American Honors students coming from diverse academic backgrounds. One key question involved how to commensurate knolwedge on wellbeing and sustainability and utilize this in economic models and social policies to improve the current state of wellbeing in various socio-economic contexts.

Methodology

• Approach Phibon designed and delivered six lectures drawing on research in subjective wellbeing, wellbeing economics, and sustainability studies. The course combined theoretical propositions with real-world case studies from the Nordic region, creating a balance between foundational knowledge and practical applications.

• Tools Used

  • Lecture-based presentations with interactive discussions
  • Case studies from the UN’s World Happiness Report, OECD Better Life Index, and other wellbeing indices
  • Analysis of qualitative and quantitative data on subjective wellbeing and sustainability practices

• Collaboration Phibon worked closely with Northeastern University’s program coordinators to ensure that the lectures were aligned with the academic goals of the Honors Bachelor summer program.

Solution

Phibon delivered six guest lectures covering the following topics:

1. Introduction to Wellbeing Research: An overview of subjective wellbeing, exploring the concept of happiness and its determinants at both individual and societal levels.
2. The Science of Subjective Wellbeing: Examination of how happiness is measured, including various methods like surveys, big data, and behavioral tracking.
3. Environments and Cultures of Wellbeing: Analysis of the factors contributing to the Nordic countries’ high rankings in happiness indices, including the welfare state, societal trust, and cultural influences.
4. Mental Health, Happiness, and Sustainability: Focus on the relationship between mental health and subjective wellbeing, with discussions on loneliness, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the role of nature in promoting wellbeing.
5. Wellbeing Economy and the Politics of Wellbeing: Exploration of the wellbeing economy and alternative metrics to GDP, drawing on examples from countries like New Zealand, Finland, and Iceland.
6. Wellbeing at Work: Discussion of how employment impacts personal happiness and how businesses can incorporate wellbeing indicators into their organizational structures.