Upcoming Events

(Talk) The Truth Behind Happiness and Fulfillment

Date: 6 November 2025 (Thursday)
Time: 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Venue: Li Ka Shing Library, Learning Lab 2 (Level 5)

A common adage we often hear is “Life is short, be happy”. Our parents may tell us that happiness is about getting the good grades or getting the dream job. Maybe, we hear people say that it is finding the “soulmate” in relationships and etc, etc. Others say that happiness comes from within or is about the small things. Self-help books and podcasts about happiness and fulfilment are aplenty. However, no one really has told us exactly what happiness is. 

University life is full of pressure to succeed, fit in, and figure it all out. But what if we’ve been chasing the wrong things? In this talk, we’ll break down how humans are designed to experience happiness and fulfillment—and why these tend to be closely related. Through real stories, real science, and practical advice, you’ll walk away with a better understanding of what happiness actually is and some tools to build a life that’s more deeply rewarding.

Outline: 

1. What are your goals and wishes?
2. The Evolutionary Perspective
   - Learn what happiness is designed to do and what produces it.
3. Debunking Myths: What Real Happiness Isn’t
   - Understand common misconceptions around happiness (e.g., we should feel happy every day, happiness is long-lasting).
   - Learn how chasing “quick wins” does not help long-term satisfaction
4. What Actually Drives Long-Term Happiness and Fulfillment
   - Explore how we need to make progress along major social domains.
5. Impediments to Happiness: Stress & Social Pressure in Modern Life
   - Learn why it may be harder now than ever to be happy.
   - Recognize the impact of technology, academic stress, comparison culture, and burnout.

6. Building a Life That Feels Good—Not Just Looks Good
   - Gain tools to manage stress and protect your happiness.
   - Learn practical strategies for setting personal goals, improving yourself, and creating a more meaningful life.

   Dr. Norman Li joined Singapore Management University (SMU) in 2008 after serving as an Assistant Professor of Individual Differences and Evolutionary Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. Before his psychology career, he worked in investment consulting and taught economics and finance in Chicago. Trained in experimental social psychology and evolutionary perspectives, Dr. Li is internationally recognised for his research on human mate preferences and evolutionary mismatch – a framework explaining many modern psychological and societal challenges. His work is widely published and highly cited across leading journals in social, personality, and evolutionary psychology.
   
   
   
   In this session, Dr. Li and three of his PhD students will draw on insights from evolutionary psychology to explore what true happiness really is. The session will conclude with a panel Q&A with Dr. Li and his students. 
    
   Click here to sign up.