Theatre Tour: What Makes Us Happy?

Robert will be speaking at various theatres around the country over the coming months on “What Makes Us Happy?”

What led to French philosopher Michel de Montaigne thanking fortune for the pain he suffered? Or why did Mahler apparently stop composing after his meeting in Holland with Sigmund Freud? Why was Alfred J Prufrock in T S Eliot’s poem so chronically depressed and suffering so much lack of self-esteem? Shall we ever really understand what makes us happy?

To some extent, the ability to be happy is inherited, but social scientists have emphasized that various environmental influences – health, a stable society, economic advantages, play a major role. Professor Winston examines the role of brain imaging, hormone study, sexuality, child development, pharmacology and psychological research in understanding how science may help us be happier. Happy people tend to live longer, and recent research suggests we tend to get happier as we get older. Is this simply because we become more forgetful? Can we make ourselves happier and if so, will knowledge of brain function and how we might manipulate it give us more fulfilled lives?

So far, the following venues have been confirmed:

New Elgiva Theatre, Chesham 27 September – SOLD OUT
Windsor, Theatre Royal – 30 September 2015
Harlequin Theatre, Reigate – Thursday 8 October
Colchester Mercury Theatre – Tuesday 3 November

 

To view further details and buy tickets, please click on the venue to be taken to the theatre’s website.

Trinity Mirror “Huddle”

Robert joined a Mirror “Huddle” to explain to attendees how they could unleash their creative minds.

The Mirror covered the event live on its website and on Twitter!

Royal Society, New Zealand

Robert Winston delivers a lecture at the Royal Society in Wellington, new Zealand. This event is supported by the University of Otago. Professor Winston will explore the boundaries of art and science in his talk ‘Where does Science end and Art begin?’

Visit to Birmingham

Following the award of an honorary degree at Birmingham City University in September, Professor Winston visits the Birmingham Women’s Hospital where he will address staff and students on the subject of fertility and genetics.  He will then visit the Birmingham Conservatoire to meet with staff and students.