This month we’re taking a different approach to our Think and a Drink event with the topic of Positive Psychology and its effects in the workplace.  We’ve got speakers and discussions and even a chance of taking part in some of the very first research studies on the subject with our friends at Northumbria University.  Here’s a little taster of what you can expect.

Positive Psychology is a new branch of Psychology which focuses on enabling people to grow and fulfil themselves. Professor Martin Seligman, who is generally credited with igniting the interest in positive psychology when he was appointed President of the American Psychological Association in 1998, describes it as enabling people to ‘flourish’. A positive psychological state in which we feel positive emotions, engagement, achievement, positive relationships and a sense of meaning in our lives.

Research also demonstrates that a positive psychological state seems to protect against illness and prolong longevity. It also enhances resilience, very important given the challenging and unpredictable economic climate we are experiencing.

Mandi Sherlock-Storey is a Chartered Occupational Psychologist and Programme Leader for the MSc Occupational Psychology and Organisational Psychology programmes at the University of Northumbria. Along with her colleagues she founded the Newcastle Centre for Positive Living, to promote Positive Psychology in the UK. The Centre has made the North East was one of the major centres of development for Positive Psychology in the UK and has brought inspirational speakers such as Tal Ben-Shahar, author of the book ‘Happier’, to the region.

Mandi is currently undertaking a Professional Doctorate looking at resilience in the workplace and will share some of her thinking on this subject.

Karen Thomson, is Associate Director of Policy, Research & Strategic Visibility at the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals. She has recently been undertaking a coaching based personal development programme and will share her experiences in putting some of the ideas at the heart of positive psychology into action in her personal and professional life. She will talk us through the impact this has had for herself and her colleagues and her thoughts on how she can build on this in her future career.

The agenda is set out below:

17:30 Registration with food & drinks

19:00 Welcome and opening comments by Mike Cockburn (Sogno)

19:10 Presentation by Mandi Sherlock-Storey

19:30 Presentation by Karen Thomson

19:40 Small discussion group led by the Northumbria University Research Team for Positive Psychology

19:55 Conclusions, findings and questions

20:15 Closing comments

Register www.amiando.com/TAAD_positive