Psychology Professor, University of British Columbia

Dr. Elizabeth Dunn

Elizabeth Dunn is a professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia who studies how time, money, and technology affect well-being. Her research focuses on the science of happiness and financial decision-making that supports life satisfaction.

Known For

Research on spending and happinessTime affluence vs. financial affluenceEvidence-based approaches to life satisfaction

Canon

Environment Shapes Behavior More Than Willpower

Canon

False Information Spreads Faster and Further Than Truth

Canon

Negativity Bias: Loss and Threat Loom Larger Than Gain

Curious

Close Relationships Are the Strongest Predictor of Life Satisfaction

Canon

Books

■Happy Money: The Science of Smarter Spending(2013)

Episodes

#Less guilt, more joy: A new chapter for climate actionSep 4, 2026 #The Surprising Choices That Make You Happier and Help the Planet | Elizabeth Dunn & Jiaying ZhaoSep 1, 2026 #How Joy Helps Save the PlanetJul 2, 2026