The college years are prime time for the development of interests and passions that students will pursue in careers and in life. Molly S. Weeks, Research Scientist, Department of Psychology & Neuroscience will present data from two large-scale research studies with students at Duke and other institutions showing that academic engagement – defined as students’ enthusiasm and passion (or “gusto”) for the work they are doing in college – is linked to diverse indicators of well-being, including higher levels of belonging and lower levels of alcohol use.  In addition, Weeks will share what we have learned from these studies about the factors that influence student well-being in college, with a particular emphasis on belonging and loneliness.

Course instructors, academic advisors, and other academic professionals who interact with students play a crucial role in facilitating academic engagement, and discussion will focus on how classroom practices can facilitate and undermine the development of academic engagement and student well-being more broadly.

Learning Innovation and BRITE Lab invite you to join us for BRITE Ideas, a monthly discussion group to share and develop research on teaching and learning. All meetings are located in the Rubenstein Library, Room 249, from 12:00 – 1:00pm. Light refreshments will be provided – you are welcome to bring your lunch.