Speakers

Abstract

Understanding the pathways of development of values can help adults create optimal opportunities for young people in schools, families, and communities. With the growing importance of holistic learning experiences for students, it becomes essential for researchers and educators to explore a positive schooling approach. Positive schooling integrates well-being, virtues, and values into the school curriculum.  The talk identifies the key concepts, especially positive childhood experiences (PCES), that foster well-being and flourishing among students. The talk will provide insights into a model that uses character strengths and positive youth development to promote well-being and flourishing among students. The model delineates the process that enables students to shift from languishing to flourishing. The model discusses the role of students in actively promoting well-being and flourishing within their peer groups. The strategies help students, teachers, parents, and all involved in the ecosystem to learn, live, and embed well-being. The ecological systems theory by Bronfenbrenner (1977) highlights the importance of various stakeholders in this holistic learning process. The focus is on healed adults in the environment, explicitly their competencies, well-being, and experiences, as they can impact young people’s development and learning experiences. School leaders, counsellors, teachers and parents must collaborate to create a safe and positive school culture. There is a need for professional support, consultation, and collaboration.

Current Position:

• Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, CHRIST University, Bengaluru

Research Interests:

• Socio-emotional development
• Childhood experiences
• Positive school mental health

Research Projects:

• Cross-cultural development of gratitude, in collaboration with the University of Virginia, USA
• Completed projects: character strengths integration in early school curriculum, student mental health through positive schooling, and a culturally competent mental health training model with Miami University (US-India Education Foundation)

Professional Associations:

• Strengths Gym, UK
• International Play Association
• The Global Innovation Network for Teaching and Learning (GINTL), Nordic consortium
• India Representative, International Committee on Undergraduate Psychology Outcomes (ICUPO)

Roles and Contributions:

• Trainer and consultant for school mental health, faculty development, and parenting programs at international and national levels
• Former leadership roles at CHRIST University, spanning over a decade

Publications and Presentations:

• Active in publishing and presenting research at national and international forums