The Centre for Wellbeing Science (CWS) is Australia’s leading research centre in positive psychology and wellbeing science. It is one of the research centres at University of Melbourne's Faculty of Education. Areas of focus include wellbeing literacy, wellbeing education and training, and wellbeing communities and connections.
Purpose
At CWS, our purpose is to use the science of wellbeing to help communities, groups, and individuals thrive. We achieve this by applying strengths-based approaches, systems thinking, and diverse perspectives to enhance wellbeing and cultivate positive change agents in various settings like education, workplaces, and sports.
Services
- Research & Consultancies
- Postgraduate Student Supervision
- Teaching
- Publications & Resources
The Centre for Wellbeing Science is an active entity in the field and contributes to leading research with a faceted approach of academic research, workshops, and tools – all of which lead to a greater understanding of and stronger framework for wellbeing science.
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Research publications
View all publications from the Centre of Wellbeing Science (previously Centre for Positive Psychology), from our latest research to our archival works.
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Projects
The Centre is regularly involved in research and engagement projects to deepen understanding and increase awareness of the principles of wellbeing science.
Research streams
- Wellbeing literacy
- Wellbeing Education & Training
- Wellbeing Communities & Connections
There are several flexible study options to studying Positive Psychology and Wellbeing Science – whether you are an undergraduate exploring the field for the first time or an expert looking for a tailored speciality.
The Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) graduate Simon talks about his journey of studying the MAPP program at FoE, the University of Melbourne
The Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) international graduate Anika talks about her journey of studying the MAPP program at FoE, the University of Melbourne
The excitement of our PhD Graduate Dr Jacqui Francis at her graduation ceremony
Courses
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Master of Applied Positive Psychology
This course promotes an evidence-based, multidisciplinary approach to working in positive psychology, and will instil in you a strong sense of professional integrity and civic engagement.
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Positive Psychology as breadth
Aimed towards undergraduate students, this breadth track explores issues related to positive psychology, with a focus on the relationship between well-being, pro-social behaviour and peak performance at the individual, group and community levels.
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Professional Certificate in Positive Education
In this course you will learn about principles designed to draw on students’ individual strengths and better support students and staff, including different theories of wellbeing, core positive education constructs, and how to utilise scientific theory to create stronger learning environments.
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Graduate Certificate in Wellbeing Science
The course instills the importance of an evidence-based, multidisciplinary perspective to positive psychology and wellbeing science and its applications personally and professionally across a range of contexts. It incorporates learning approaches that link research and practice, promote deep learning, connection with others, and critical scholarship, providing students with skills to apply their knowledge in the future.
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Professional Certificate in Wellbeing Coaching
The course provides a foundation of the contemporary developments of the wellbeing coaching field; explores key elements, theories, practices, and perspectives from a range of scholars and practitioners; and considers strategies for translating the wellbeing coaching science into practice. The course draws on a variety of pedagogical approaches to promote deep learning, connection with others, and critical scholarship, providing students with skills to apply their knowledge in the future.
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Professional Certificate in Wellbeing Leadership
It is designed for students who are interested in scientifically grounded approaches to understanding leadership in the context of wellbeing and wellbeing cultures, you'll gain the skills, knowledge and abilities to apply leadership approaches relevant to positive psychology and wellbeing science principles to real-world contexts.
Programs Dates 2023
Further Study
Master of Applied Positive Psychology graduates who already possess a relevant Bachelor Honours or Masters Honours degree with a H2A (75%) average or above are eligible to apply for an Master of Philosophy, Doctor of Education or PhD program.
Alternatively, Master of Applied Positive Psychology graduates can study the Graduate Certificate in Educational Research as a pathways to the MPhil, DEd/PhD program.
We also work closely with our colleagues in the related areas of Student Wellbeing and Educational Psychology.
Our staff
Prof Dianne Vella-Brodrick
Dr Catherine Smith
Dr Kent Patrick
Fellows
Annual reports
Please note: Until the recent name change in March 2021, the Centre for Wellbeing Science was known as the Centre for Positive Psychology.
Books
- Handbook of Positive Psychology in Schools
Author: Kelly-Ann Allen, Michael J. Furlong, Dianne Vella-Brodrick, Shannon M. Suldo - The Strength Switch
Author: Lea Waters
- The Wiley Blackwell Handbook of the Psychology of Positivity and Strengths-Based Approaches at Work
Authors: Lindsay G. Oades, Michael F. Steger, Antonella Delle Fave, Jonathan Passmore - Wellbeing, Recovery and Mental Health
Author: Mike Slade, Lindsay Oades, Aaron Jarden - Cognitive Motivation
Author: David Beswick - Social and Emotional Learning in Australia and the Asia-Pacific
Authors: Erica Frydenberg, Andrew Martin, Rebeca J. Collie - School Belonging in Adolescents Theory, Research and Practice
Authors: Kelly-Ann Allen, Margaret L. Kern - Your Wellbeing Blueprint: Feeling Good and Doing Well at Work
Authors: Margaret L. Kern, Michelle McQuaid - Future Directions in Well-Being Education, Organizations and Policy
Authors: Mathew White, Gavin Slemp, Simon A. Murray - Coaching & Mentoring Research – A practical guide
Authors: Lindsay Oades, Gain Slemp, Christine L. Siokou - Becoming AntiFragile, Learning to Thrive through Disruption, Challenge and Change
Authors: Paige Williams - From Surviving to Thriving: A student’s guide to feeling and doing well at university Authors: Christian van Nieuwerburgh, Paige Williams