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Palais des congrès de Montréal
1001 Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle
Montréal, QC H2Z 1H5, Canada
Pre-Congress: Science For Scientists
Science for Scientists Day
Advancing the Science of Positive Psychology
Thursday July 13th 8:30-4:30
Positive psychology is the scientific study of what enables individuals and communities to thrive.
Science is thus the backbone of positive psychology. The goal of this Pre-Congress day is to more intensely focus on the advanced aspects of the scientific enterprise in positive psychology – methodological, theoretical, and professional. It is intended for all engaged in the science of positive psychology from graduate students to seasoned professionals. The day will include a variety of presentation formats such as advanced, state-of-the-science presentations by leaders in the field followed by open discussion with the audience, Flash talks (short 5-min presentations by scientists), poster sessions, and open discussion sessions.
Program | |
8:30-8:45 | Bob Vallerand – Welcome and Opening |
8:45-9:45 | Lisa Feldman Barrett – How Emotions Are Made |
9:45-10:15 | 5-minute Flash talks (5x) |
10:15-10:30 | Health Break |
10:30-11:00 | Steve Cole – How Do I Get Some Biology in My Research? |
11:00-11:30 | Group Discussion |
11:30-12:00 | 5-minute Flash talks (5x) |
12:00-1:00 | Lunch and Poster Session |
1:00-1:30 | 5-minute Flash talks (5x) |
1:30-2:30 | Dan Benjamin – The Underappreciated Importance of Statistical Power; Why Statistical Power Is More Important Than You Think |
2:30- 3:00 | Group Discussion |
3:00-3:30 | 5-minute Flash talks (5x) |
3:30-3:45 | Health Break |
3:45 -4:15 | 5-minute Flash talks (5x) |
4:15- 4:30 | Meike Bartels – What Did We Learn Today and Future Perspectives |
Meike Bartels, Ph.D.
Robert Vallerand, Ph.D.
Daniel Benjamin, Ph.D.
The Underappreciated Importance of Statistical Power: Why Statistical Power Is More Important Than You Think
Lisa Feldman Barrett, Ph.D.
How Emotions Are Made
Steve Cole, Ph.D.
How do I get some biology in my research?
Pre-Congress Speakers
Coaching for Executive Well-Being
Auerbach is the author of the classic coaching book, Personal and Executive Coaching, The Complete Guide for Mental Health Professionals, now in its 20th printing, as well as, Seeing the Light: What Organizations Need to Know about Coaching, the Well-Being Coaching Workbook: Everything Needed for the Coaching Participant, and Positive Psychology in Coaching: Applying Science to Executive Coaching. He is an Accredited Master trainer in the Emotional Quotient Inventory 2.0 and the EQ360. Dr. Auerbach holds a Ph.D. in Psychology with post-graduate certifications in executive coaching and behavioral medicine. An expert on emotional intelligence in the workplace, Dr. Auerbach is a frequent keynote speaker on peak performance, well-being and emotional intelligence.
Ernst Bohlmeijer, Ph.D.
Navigating the app-wilderness: Learn to find the best app or start to design one yourself
Ilona Boniwell, Ph.D.
Making Positive Psychology Tangible
Jane Dutton, Ph.D. & Monica Worline, Ph.D.
Awakening Compassion at Work
Barbara Fredrickson, Ph.D.
The Science and Practice of Loving-Kindness Meditation

Juan Humberto Young, D.M.
Strategic Awareness Training for more Wellbeing in the Workplace and in Life
At the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, and IE University, Madrid, Dr. Young has been teaching widely popular courses integrating Positive Psychology and Mindfulness approaches with functional management areas such as business strategy, corporate finance and risk management. Dr. Young’s goal is to bring more mindfulness and wellbeing to where it is needed: especially in business organizations and the workplace but also to everyone involved in life’s struggles. He therefore developed a specific, structured program to train the prospective quality of strategic awareness allowing skilful decision-making for a fulfilling life. The protocol is called Mindfulness-Based Strategic Awareness Training-MBSAT and was published in November 2016 by Wiley: Oxford. For more information, see www.juanhumbertoyoung.com.

Saskia Kelders, Ph.D.
Navigating the app-wilderness: Learn to find the best app or start to design one yourself

Ryan M. Niemiec, Psy.D.
Character Strengths Interventions: Tools for the Strengths-Based Practitioner
At VIA, Ryan develops (or co-develops) VIA’s courses, reports, and programs, and helps professionals around the globe, across disciplines, apply character strengths, personally and professionally. He’s published over 50 peer-reviewed or invited articles on character strengths and related topics. Ryan is especially interested in the intersection of character strengths with resilience, intellectual/developmental disability, mindfulness, savoring, and health.
Ryan is creator of the evidence-based, Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP), the first, structured program for building character strengths. Over the last 15 years, Ryan has led hundreds of mindfulness groups for various audiences and has offered hundreds of presentations on character strengths.
On a personal level, Ryan’s signature strengths are hope, love, curiosity, fairness, honesty, and appreciation of beauty.

Sharon Salzberg
The Science and Practice of Loving-Kindness Meditation
Register Today!
Onsite Registration Begins July 12th!