Lisa C. Walsh, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Psychology
​School of Social Sciences
Nanyang Technological University
​Singapore
Email: [email protected]
  LinkedIn: lisawalsh08​
 Google Scholar: Lisa C. Walsh ​
​NTU: Asst Prof Lisa Walsh
How can everyone live their own version of the good life? Philosophers, writers, and laypeople have attempted to answer this question for centuries. One emerging answer increasing backed by psychological science suggests that feelings of connectedness, which are prompted by positive social behaviors and satisfying close relationships, are the key to a happy and fulfilling life.

Accordingly, I research the who, what, where, when, why and how of happiness. I investigate the architecture of subjective well-being, including its outcomes, predictors, mediators, moderators, and downstream consequences. In broadest terms, my work aims to understand the effects of social behaviors (e.g., expressing gratitude, doing acts of kindness) on well-being, and investigate links between close relationships (with romantic partners, friends, family) and well-being. I also examine the effects of technology (e.g., smartphones, social media, AI) on well-being.

I earned my Ph.D. in the Positive Activities and Well-Being Lab at the University of California, Riverside with Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky. Following that, I pursued a postdoctoral fellowship in the Marriage and Close Relationships Lab at the University of California, Los Angeles with Drs. Benjamin Karney, Thomas Bradbury, and Victor Kaufman.

Some of my recent work explores:​
  • Are GenAI chatbot users happier than non-users?
  • Does engaging in positive activities improve well-being in Singapore?
  • Can singles live happily ever after without a partner?
  • How do our close relationships influence our well-being?
  • Does less smartphone time make us happier?
  • Are some social media apps "better" for well-being than others?
  • Can gratitude motivate people to improve themselves?
  • What are the effects of positive activities on health?
  • Does happiness precede and lead to career success?
  • How does culture influence happiness?

I currently live in Singapore with my husband Tim Yeo.