We’re excited to share that Dr. Patty Van Cappellen’s course, “The Science of Happiness,” was recently featured in Duke Mag. The article highlights how the class blends psychological research and practical exercises to help students explore what truly contributes to well-being. Through lectures, discussions, and evidence-based activities, students learn how scientific insights can be applied to cultivate meaning, gratitude, and joy in their daily lives. The feature also underscores Dr. Van Cappellen’s commitment to helping students connect rigorous academic research with personal growth. Read more about the class and its impact in the full article on Duke Mag’s website.

We’re thrilled to celebrate Dr. Patty Van Cappellen for receiving the Virginia Sexton Mentoring Award from the Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality (APA Division 36)! This award honors her outstanding dedication to mentoring and supporting others in the field of psychology of religion.

Congratulations, Patty, on this well-deserved recognition!

 Read the full announcement on the SSRI website ›

This fall, Patty taught again her new course titled The Science of Happiness, offering students an opportunity to examine the psychological foundations of well-being and positive emotion. The course explores research on happiness, meaning, and human flourishing, encouraging students to consider how these insights can inform both personal and community life. This course is part of the Transformative Ideas initiative at Duke.

In keeping with the theme of well-being, Patty recently held class outdoors, where students engaged in discussion surrounded by sunshine and fresh air. The outdoor session reflected the course’s emphasis on integrating academic learning with personal application in day-to-day life.

Through The Science of Happiness, Patty aims to help students connect empirical research with lived experience—fostering reflection, engagement, and a deeper understanding of what happiness means in their own lives.