What makes people happy? What are the consequences of being happy? How can we increase individual and societal well-being? Those are the broad questions that guide my research.
At the Happy Tech Lab, our research explores how constant connectivity to the Internet—from smartphones to AI and social media—impacts people’s health and happiness and how we can harness technology to improve our lives.
Your Child's First Phone Could Help Answer a Pressing Question
Is your child about to get their first smartphone? The Happy Tech Lab at Georgetown is recruiting families for one of the first studies to follow kids from the moment they get their first phone. Funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, the study looks at how social media shapes mental health during early adolescence, and for whom it matters most. Eligible families receive $200, plus practical help setting up parental controls. Learn more here.
Social Media Study
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Social Media Study 〰️ Learn More 〰️
Announcements
Postdocs are highly encouraged to apply to the Huo Early Career Fellowship as a way of self-funding their postdoc under Dr. Kushlev's supervision. See more details here.
Dr. Kushlev is a faculty mentor for the predoctoral/postdoctoral training (T32) and mentored career development (K12) programs at Georgetown-Howard Universities Center for Clinical and Translational Science (GHUCCTS) funded by the National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS)/NIH. Find out how to apply here.
THE HAPPY TECH LAB
At the Happy Tech Lab, we aim to identify the hidden costs of new technologies—from email and smartphones to social media and ChatGPT. Our work shows that considering the opportunity costs of digital media use is key to understanding why our amazingly useful digital devices have failed to make us happier—and what we can do about it!
Please contact the Lab Manager at happytech@georgetown.edu to inquire about openings for Research Assistants, REBL, and Honors Students.
