Summer school: Health and Happiness

Studies show that individuals can actively influence their own health and well-being.

Numerous interventions and techniques, often with the use of technology, have been developed to help people improve their well-being and health. In this course you will learn about the different approaches, methods, and interventions that are used to improve happiness and (mental) well-being. In addition to that, you will also learn about the theory behind mindfulness and practice some techniques yourself.

In this summer course, we will address a couple of questions:

Which methods can be used to study health and happiness?
What kind of interventions can be used to enhance well-being, happiness and health?
What role can design and technology play to support health and well-being?

Inspired by a combination of insights from positive and health psychology, and design and technology this course will help you address these questions. After an introduction to key concepts in positive and health psychology, you will learn about current interventions on improving (mental) health and well-being. How can individuals be encouraged to engage in healthier lifestyles? How can positive psychology be applied in the classroom and in the workplace? During the course, you will not only participate in active classroom discussions, but you will also have the opportunity to design an intervention yourself, with the ultimate goal to boost mental and/or physical health.

Course video

Course topics

Together with other participants you will discover and learn more about these topics:

Fundamentals
You will learn about the core pillars of this course, including the basics of positive psychology, health psychology, behavioural change and mental health. Additionally, you will also learn and practice mindfulness techniques.
Some of the sessions offered in the course are introductory workshops and lectures, while others are about specifically applying knowledge from these disciplines in practice. The topics included in this course are: Positive Psychology, Mental Health, Health Psychology, and Behaviour Change.
Positive psychology
Positive psychology approach looks at mental health from the perspective of people’s strengths. Strengths are positive features, such as talents and resilience. You will be introduced to various concepts and interventions based on positive psychology and learn how this approach can complement the traditional psychopathological approach to improve mental health.
Health Psychology & Behaviour Change
Health psychology looks into the relationship between health, cognition and behaviour and aims at promoting healthier lifestyles. You will learn about specific intervention methodologies and behavioural change techniques that can be applied in practice. This will form the basis for your own intervention design.
Mindfulness
Besides learning about various applications of positive psychology and technology on improving health and mental health, you will also learn and practice mindfulness. In these sessions, you will learn about improving your awareness and integrating core self-compassion exercises into daily life.
Designing your own intervention
After gaining insight into the aforementioned subjects, you will collaborate with fellow students on a project in which you will design an intervention to promote mental and/or physical well-being.
Presenting your intervention
You have designed your own intervention, great! On the last day, you will present your results to your fellow students and a jury of experts. Through this exercise, we would like you to showcase, in a convincing manner, the real-world implications of your intervention.

Learning outcomes

Participants will...

learn and understand important psychological concepts and principles.
learn about the foundational principles of positive psychology, and how positive psychological perspectives are combined with health psychology and technology to improve happiness and well-being.
gain knowledge about positive education, learn to identify individual character strengths and implications for improving learning.
learn about the underlying theories of mindfulness and practice techniques that can be applied in everyday situations.
learn about the state-of-the-art methodologies to change behavior, and measure and track health and well-being.
apply newly gained knowledge in creating behaviour change interventions to improve health and happiness in various settings (workplace, schools, healthcare).

TESTIMONIAL: DEIRDRE (FROM IRELAND)

Stay tuned for more upcoming information regarding the 2023 course!

Day

Lunch: Playland

Time:	12:30 - 14:00
Day:	Thu. 18-08

After the first course sessions of the day you’ll then join the other festival-goers for a themed lunch in an informal, interactive setting.This is one of the most popular lunch activities where together with your fellow participants you can enjoy some outdoor games in the main festival area! Join us!

Time:	18:00 - 20:00
Day:	Tue. 16-08

Lunch: Artist for a day

Time:	12:30 - 14:00
Day:	Tue. 16-08

After the first course sessions of the day you’ll then join the other festival-goers for a themed lunch in an informal, interactive setting. You will have the chance to get to know the programmes of our university and speak with representatives from our admissions office in case you are interested in continuing your studies here! During this lunch activity, you can also get to know the different student teams of our university.

Time:	08:15 - 09:00
Day:	Tue. 23-08

Lunch: ExploreU

Time:	12:30 - 14:00
Day:	Fri. 19-08

After the first course sessions of the day you’ll then join the other festival-goers for a themed lunch in an informal, interactive setting. You will have the opportunity to learn more about yourself by doing some career and personality tests ! Do not miss the chance to try the VR Parachuting experience!

Time:	18:00 - 20:00
Day:	Thu. 18-08

Time:	18:00 - 20:00
Day:	Wed. 17-08

Breakfast & keynote

Time:	08:15 - 09:30
Day:	Wed. 17-08

Get your day off to an inspiring start by listening to one of our inspirational speakers over breakfast. Once you’re all fired up, you’ll join in the morning session of your course for the day.

Narrative Psychology and Meaningful Moments

Time:	09:30 - 12:30
Day:	Fri. 19-08

Dr Jacky van de Goor will introduce you to the study of narrative psychology with special attention for her own research in the field. She will invite you to learn about its effects yourself!

More information

Introduction to Positive Psychology

Time:	14:00 - 17:00
Day:	Mon. 15-08

During this session, you will be introduced to the study of positive psychology as complementation of the traditional psychopathological approach and learn about various theories and interventions related to it.

Lunch: Dutch Olympic Games

Time:	12:30 - 14:00
Day:	Sun. 21-08

After the first course sessions of the day you’ll then join the other festival-goers for a themed lunch in an informal, interactive setting.

During this lunch you can join a sand castle competition and a graffiti workshop!

Time:	18:00 - 20:00
Day:	Mon. 22-08

Beach volleyball tournament & DJ

Time:	20:00 - 23:00
Day:	Wed. 17-08

Enjoy a unique volleyball tournament together with your fellow CuriousU participants! Are you gonna be the winning team? Let's find out!

Time:	18:00 - 20:00
Day:	Sun. 21-08

Lectures: Research in the field of Positive and Health Psychology

Time:	14:00 - 17:00
Day:	Thu. 18-08

How can you solve (societal) problems with insights from psychology? How can you design interventions for behaviour change? We will address these questions in this session to help you get started with developing your own intervention!

Mindfulness& BMS Lab Tour

Time:	09:30 - 12:30
Day:	Thu. 18-08

We will visit the BMS Lab of the University of Twente. Here you will learn about how various technologies are used in research areas of health, human behaviour, human cognition and learning.

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Psychology and Intervention Design & Project: Group Work

Time:	14:00 - 17:00
Day:	Fri. 19-08

Project: Group Work

Time:	09:30 - 12:30
Day:	Mon. 22-08

Learn while having fun! You’ll join in the morning session of your course for the day. That might be a workshop, a lecture or a project depending on the course you choose.

Check our courses.

More information

Arrival day: check in

Time:	10:00 - 18:00
Day:	Sun. 14-08

The registration point will be in the biggest tent. Please register as soon as you arrive. If you arrive earlier or later please contact us via curious@utwente.nl

Lunch: C- your future

Time:	12:30 - 14:00
Day:	Wed. 17-08

After the first course sessions of the day you’ll then join the other festival-goers for a themed lunch in an informal, interactive setting. You can do one of the following lab tours: Behavioral Management and Sciences Lab, Wearable Robotics Lab, combined tour in AeroAcoustic WindTunnel & Rapid Prototyping Lab, NanoLab or the Experimental Centre for Technical Medicine. Enjoy our dance workshop too!

Workshop on Character Strengths & Positive Education

Time:	14:00 - 17:00
Day:	Tue. 16-08

Time:	18:00 - 20:00
Day:	Sun. 14-08

Time:	20:00 - 22:30
Day:	Mon. 15-08

CuriousU Participants Departure

Time:	09:00 - 10:00
Day:	Tue. 23-08

The last day: please check out (i.e. returning the keys) and saying goodbye to all your new friends. By returning your key you will get back your deposit for the log cabin or student dorm (online refund).

Introduction & Design for Happiness and Well-Being

Time:	09:30 - 12:30
Day:	Mon. 15-08

Welcome to the Health and Happiness track. In this session, you will meet the course leaders and get to know each other. How can products be designed to enhance users’ experiences with insights from positive psychology and persuasive technology? In this session, Dr Jay Yoon will talk about his work focused on design for positive emotions.

More information

Field Trip to Phillips Museum

Time:	09:30 - 12:30
Day:	Wed. 17-08

We will visit the Philips Museum in Eindhoven and learn about how various innovative technologies play a role in (mental) health care.

More information

Breakfast & Inspiration

Time:	08:15 - 09:30
Day:	Fri. 19-08

Get your day off to an inspiring start by listening to one of our uplifting keynote speakers over breakfast. Once you’re all fired up, you’ll join in the morning session of your course for the day.

Time:	08:15 - 20:00
Day:	Sat. 20-08

Breakfast & keynote

Time:	08:15 - 09:30
Day:	Tue. 16-08

Time:	18:00 - 20:00
Day:	Fri. 19-08

Time:	18:00 - 20:00
Day:	Mon. 15-08

Time:	17:00 - 18:00
Day:	Mon. 15-08

Lunch: Cherishing Moments

Time:	12:30 - 14:00
Day:	Mon. 22-08

After the first course sessions of the day you’ll then join the other festival-goers for a themed lunch in an informal, interactive setting. Here is the chance to lock all the memories you made the last days into pictures! During that lunch break you also have the chance to break some pinatas!

Time:	17:00 - 18:00
Day:	Tue. 16-08

Time:	17:00 - 18:00
Day:	Wed. 17-08

Time:	17:00 - 18:00
Day:	Thu. 18-08

Time:	17:00 - 18:00
Day:	Fri. 19-08

Time:	17:00 - 18:00
Day:	Sun. 21-08

Introduction to Mindfulness

Time:	09:30 - 12:30
Day:	Tue. 16-08

During this session, you will be introduced to the theory and practice of mindfulness. You will learn what mindfulness is about, the benefits associated with practicing mindfulness and how you can apply it in your daily lives.

More information

Course details

Date: 13-22 August 2023 (on campus)
Methods: Lectures from experts of the field, interactive workshops, project work
Course level: Beginner's/Intermediate/Advanced
Target group: Everyone with an interest in technological interventions with a human touch to improve health and well-being.
Required knowledge: There are no entry requirements for this course but an interest in psychology and converting theory into practice is desired.
Credits: 2 ECTS for successfully completing the summer school