Well-being, Health, and Work

Semester: Spring
|
Year offered: 2026

Course Description

What does science actually tell us about well-being—and why should it matter to you? This nanocourse draws on cutting-edge research across psychology, epidemiology, occupational medicine, and public health to explore the science of psychological well-being: what it is, how researchers measure it, and how it is shaped by our social environment and how it shapes our health. We'll explore the evidence linking psychological well-being to health outcomes and unpack the mechanisms behind those links. As most people will spend a third of their lives at work, we will further consider how workplace conditions can either support or undermine our well-being and health. Across two interactive sessions, students will build the tools to critically evaluate well-being research, with a focus on psychological well-being, and obtain evidence-based insights they can apply in their own lives and organizations.

Course Objectives

  • Discuss what well-being is and its key constructs, and understand how it is studied scientifically.
  • Evaluate the evidence linking psychological well-being to health outcomes.
  • Discuss how the workplace can shape your well-being and health. 

Course Team

Course directors/instructors

Hayami Koga (MD, PhD, MPH): hkoga@g.harvard.edu

Säde Stenlund (MD, PhD); sstenlund@hsph.harvard.edu

Class Schedule

Time: 2:00PM-5:00PM

Dates:

  • Day 1: Friday, April 17, 2026

  • Day 2: Friday, April 24, 2026 

Room location & building: TMEC 128 Learning Studio (Castle)

Milestone Credit & Final Assignment

To receive Milestone credit, students must complete all of the following:

  • Attend both course sessions
  • Complete the online pre-surveys
  • Submit the final assignment

Final assignment:

  • Write a 1-2 page reflection on how the course changed your perspective of well-being research in respect to health or the workplace. You can choose a specific topic from the course and reflect on both the gained scientific knowledge and also personal reflections awakened. You can also design a research study proposal drawing from what you learnt during your course. 

HMS-based PhD students and select HMS Masters students can combine Nanocourses for credit. More information about Milestone Credit can be found here.

Registration

Open to all in the Harvard community who are able to attend the sessions in person. The class will be limited to 45 students.

Registration priority will be given to HMS-based PhD students and select HMS Master’s students who are taking the course for credit. You will receive an email confirming your enrollment. If the course is full, you will be placed on a waitlist and notified by email. More information can be found here.

Registration closes on Friday, April 10, 2026. 

Register HERE, https://harvard.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3ReoQaAiwemLdpI

Students requiring accommodations should contact the Disability Access Office upon admission to the nanocourse. Please provide the course name, instructor’s name and email, and course dates to ensure timely communication of accommodations.

 

See also: