Dubai, United Arab Emirates
My work sits at the intersection of positive psychology, workplace wellbeing and health. For more than 20 years, I have studied what helps people thrive, sustain their wellbeing, and remain healthy and engaged across the lifespan. As populations age and organizations face growing challenges related to chronic disease, burnout, and workforce sustainability, the conversation is shifting from short-term wellbeing initiatives to long-term health and human flourishing. I work with governments, organizations, and leaders to understand how workplaces can become drivers of health rather than sources of illness. My research and consulting focus on the conditions that support psychological wellbeing, sustainable performance and health. My interests include positive health assets, social capital, positive psychology, organizational culture, and the promotion of Good Living. More specifically, how organizations can contribute to longer, healthier, and more meaningful lives, not only for employees but for the communities they serve. Through research, speaking, and advisory work, I help bridge the gap between scientific evidence and practical action. I am a Registered Psychologist (#2659, College of Alberta Psychologists, Canada) based in the UAE since 2003. I am Director of Happiness Policy & Programming at Happiness Matters, Editor of the Middle East Journal of Positive Psychology, and author of 50+ peer-reviewed publications in wellbeing science.
Lead the development and evaluation of evidence-based strategies that support workforce health, healthy longevity, and sustainable performance. My work focuses on understanding how organizational environments influence physical health, psychological wellbeing, engagement, and long-term outcomes across the working lifespan. I translate scientific research into practical strategies, frameworks, and policies that help organizations create healthier, more resilient, and productive workplaces. This includes advising on workforce health initiatives, developing measurement and evaluation frameworks, and designing educational programs that equip leaders and employees with the knowledge and skills to support long-term health, wellbeing, and performance. My approach integrates evidence from positive psychology, public health, and longevity research to ensure interventions are credible, measurable, and aligned with organizational objectives.
Exploring the UAE's PISA (OECD, 2018) data on 20,000 students and examining wellbeing and mental health inequalities by gender, geographical region, curriculum and school type. Paper 2 will examine policy drivers for the education sector and identify clear actions schools and education authorities can take to bridge inequalities and raise the level of wellbeing for all students in the UAE, given that it is conducive to learning, better life outcomes in the future, and greater emotional experience on a daily basis. *Teaching Positive Psychology; Social Psychology; Applied Social Psychology; Environmental Psychology and Action.
Developed and teaching the UAEU's first course in Happiness and Wellbeing as well as Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and Social Psychology.
Courses: Introductory Psychology, Healthcare Ethics, Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility, Ethical Reasoning, Positive Psychology in the Workplace. Research platform: Subjective wellbeing, life satisfaction + culture, positive psychology interventions.
Courses: Master's level Counselling Practicum I/II, and Health Psychology