Geoffrey L. Cohen Keynote Speaker

Geoffrey L. Cohen is a Professor of Psychology, the James G. March Professor of Organizational Studies in Education and Business, the Director of CohenLab at Stanford University, and the author of Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides. He is a social psychologist by training and received his PHD at Stanford and his BA at Cornell.

Professor Cohen’s research addresses the myriad problems of communal existence and offers concrete solutions for improving daily life at work, in school, in our homes, and in our communities. We all feel a deep need to belong, but most of us don’t fully appreciate that need in others. Often inadvertently, we behave in ways that threaten others’ sense of belonging. He and colleagues have developed a set of science-backed strategies for navigating modern social life that can help us overcome our differences, create empathy, and forge lasting connections even across divides. Small acts that establish connection, brief activities such as reflecting on our core values, and a suite of practices that Cohen defines as “situation-crafting” have been shown to lessen political polarization, improve motivation and performance in school and work, combat racism in our communities, enhance health and well-being, and unleash the potential in ourselves and in our relationships. His research and talks address the challenges of managers, educators, parents, administrators, caregivers, and everyone who wants those around them to thrive.

Read more about Geoffrey’s recent book, “Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides.”