Happiness & Its Causes 2025

The world’s leading conference on happiness & wellbeing is back | Preliminary Program Out Now

View the preliminary program online.

Since 2006, Happiness & Its Causes has been an important forum for exploring the many and varied causes for a happy and fulfilling life. It presents the world’s brightest minds in psychology, science, education, business and the arts, stimulating a rich dialogue in one unforgettable day.

Happiness & Its Causes returns in 2025 for its 20th year! Join us for an extraordinary exploration of the tools and techniques for a happier life at the magnificent Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Meet Our Speakers

Announcing Our Speakers

• Dr Judson Brewer (Live via Video) – Psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and thought leader in the field of habit change and the ‘science of self-mastery’. Director of Research and Innovation, Brown Mindfulness Centre; best-selling author of Unwinding Anxiety, The Craving Mind, and The Hunger Habit (USA).

• Stan Grant – Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi man, public intellectual, journalist, theologian, Walkley Award-winning author, and filmmaker. One of Australia’s most prominent writers on identity, nationhood, and belonging; author of Murriyang: Song of Time, Talking to My Country, and With the Falling of the Dusk.

• Ven Robina Courtin – Ordained Tibetan Buddhist nun, insightful teacher, and founder of the Liberation Prison Project (USA & Australia).

• Associate Professor James Kirby – Clinical psychologist and Australia’s leading compassion science researcher. Co-Director of the Compassionate Mind Research Group at the University of Queensland; author of Choose Compassion.

• Kath Koschel – Survivor who has overcome incredible odds and tragedy to inspire ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Global kindness campaigner; founder of Kindness Factory; NSW Australian of the Year 2025; author of Kindness.

• Dr Ahona Guha – Clinical and forensic psychologist, expert in treating trauma and managing individuals who cause harm. Author of Reclaim: Understanding Complex Trauma and Those Who Abuse and Life Skills for a Broken World.

• Professor Luke Russell – Moral philosopher and ethics lecturer at the University of Sydney, researching forgiveness, evil, virtue, and vice; author of Real Forgiveness.

• Professor Joel Pearson – Neuroscientist, psychologist, and author translating cutting-edge research into practical strategies for thinking, creativity, and decision-making. Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience and Director of Future Minds Lab, University of NSW; author of The Intuition Toolkit.

• Nardi Simpson – First Nations Yuwaalaraay storyteller, composer, and singer-songwriter. Founding member of the Indigenous female group Stiff Gins; director of cross-cultural choir Barayagal at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music; award-winning author of Song of the Crocodile and the belburd.

• Sue Langley – Global consultant and positive leadership expert specialising in the practical applications of neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and positive psychology.

• Martin Ström – Psychologist, Buddhist teacher, and technologist bridging ancient contemplative wisdom with modern technology. Co-host of the Mindful AI podcast and developer of mindfulness apps; works with leaders at Microsoft, McKinsey, and beyond.

• Dr Anastasia Hronis – Clinical psychologist, lecturer, and researcher specialising in addictions, intellectual disabilities, and rural mental health at the University of Technology Sydney; founder of the Australian Institute for Human Wellness; author of The Dopamine Brain.

• Andrea Phillips – Teaching associate and mindfulness tutor at the Monash Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies, with degrees in psychology and law; Adjunct Lecturer at the College of Law, Monash University.

• Ailsa Piper – Writer, storyteller, walker, actor, director, interviewer, audiobook narrator, teacher, and mentor. Author of For Life and Sinning Across Spain.

• Claire O’Rourke – Environmentalist, advocate, and behaviour change expert helping others take action on the multiple crises facing people and the planet; author of Together We Can.

• Jenny Steadman – Meditation teacher and leadership consultant helping organisations foster human-centred cultures and drive meaningful change; National Director, Potential Project Australia.

• Michael Parker – Leading educator and author dedicated to teaching critical thinking and ethical reflection; Headmaster of Newington College; author of Thinking For Yourself.

• Di Bowles – Advocate for increasing public awareness of wellbeing science; Policy Advisor for the wellbeing government team at independent think tank, Centre for Policy Development.

• Tony Steel OAM – CEO of VI Conferences.

• Dr Bastian Fox Phelan – Writer of memoirs and environmental essays; author of How to Be Between.

• Uncle Allen Madden – Respected Gadigal Elder and cultural representative for the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council.

• Dr Kristina Mah – Transdisciplinary researcher, world champion athlete in karate, creative artist, and martial arts and movement practitioner.

• Barayagal Choir – An intercultural collective of singers directed by Yuwaalaraay songwriter Nardi Simpson. They sing to the places they are in and the places they come from; hosted by the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and Sydney University.

Tickets include:

• Conference attendance

• Catered morning tea, afternoon tea and lunch