News
Call for applicants for the ISQOLS-WISER 2026 Summer School
September 5-9, 2026, University of Siena, Italy,
The Summer School is intended for early-career researchers, especially PhD students and advanced doctoral candidates.
The deadline for application is the 20th of June. For more details on the summer school and the link to apply, please follow this link.
Applicants may apply for one of two tracks:
1. Full ISQOLS–WISER Research Track including: the Summer School in Siena;the WISER Conference; andthe ISQOLS Winter Conference 2027 (date to be defined).
Applicants to this track must submit a short research proposal; a CV; a short motivation letter.
2. Summer School Only Track
Applicants to this track must submit a CV and a short motivation letter.
Call for Abstracts Final International Conference of the EU funded WISER Horizon project: “Reconciling competitiveness, happiness and sustainability”
September 9-11, 2026, University of Siena, Italy
Is it possible to reconcile the economy, environmental sustainability, and human well-being? A widespread view holds that the ecological transition will inevitably require sacrifices that may reduce individual well-being. Policies aimed at reducing emissions, limiting consumption, and transforming production systems are often portrayed as costly in terms of quality of life.
But is this necessarily the case? Can insights from studies on well-being help identify pathways toward an economy that is both environmentally sustainable and conducive to human well-being?
This conference aims to explore the relationship between happiness and sustainability from an interdisciplinary perspective. It seeks to bring together scholars working in economics, sociology, psychology, political science, environmental studies, and related fields to address a central question: can we design institutions, policies, and lifestyles that simultaneously enhance well-being and respect planetary boundaries?
Findings from the WISER Project suggest that a positive answer is possible. A growing body of research suggests that beyond a certain threshold, increases in income and consumption yield limited gains in well-being, while generating substantial environmental costs. Factors such as social relationships, trust, meaningful work, and access to public goods play a crucial role in shaping life satisfaction—often with a much lower ecological footprint. At the same time, the patterns that have generated growth across the past half century have undermined the foundations of human happiness—eroding social connections, weakening communities, and displacing the sources of a meaningful life. These WISER findings raise the possibility that a reorientation of economic systems toward well-being may also support sustainability.
The conference welcomes both theoretical and empirical contributions, as well as policy-oriented analyses.
Possible topics include (but are not limited to):
- The relationship between income, consumption, and subjective well-being
- Well-being and environmental behavior
- Well-being impacts of climate and environmental policies
- Sustainable lifestyles and life satisfaction
- Social capital, community, and ecological sustainability
- Inequality, well-being, and environmental outcomes
- Urban design, public spaces, and quality of life
- Work, time use, and well-being in sustainable economies
- Alternative indicators of progress beyond GDP
- Policy frameworks for integrating well-being and sustainability
- Cultural and institutional determinants of sustainable well-being
ABSTRACT SUBMISSION
Submission Guidelines
Authors are invited to submit an abstract (max 300 words) or a full paper. Submissions should clearly state the research question, methodology, and main findings (if available).
Submission deadline: 21 June
Notification acceptance:30 June
Registration deadline:30 July
Find all the details here https://www.congressi.unisi.it/happiness2026/
Please send the abstract to wiserconference26@gmail.com
The following information must be included:
- Title of the presentation
- Name of the presenter (underlined, also in the submitted abstract) / Co-author(s)
- Presenter’s affiliation
Special Measuring Progress: STATEC Well-being Seminar Series | A guide for well-being policy: Discussing WISER’s Green Book
15:30 CET (9:30 AM Eastern) – 17:00 CET (11:00 AM Eastern) 14 April 2026
Prof. Martijn Burger, EHERO University of Rotterdam
Prof. Simone D’Alessandro, University of Pisa
Prof. Javier Martinez, University of Twente
Dr. Francesco Sarracino, STATEC Research
Abstract: How can Europe move beyond GDP and design policies that deliver high levels of well-being while remaining socially and environmentally sustainable? This online Measuring Progress session launches the WISER Green Book, a key output of the Horizon Europe WISER (Well-being in a Sustainable Economy Revisited) project. The aim of the Green Book is to translate cutting-edge interdisciplinary research into a concrete policy agenda for achieving a high well-being economy, aligning productivity, social and environmental sustainability, and experienced quality of life. In this session, we will focus on the role of social relations to kick-start a virtuous cycle and favour social and environmental economies in which people can thrive. In particular, we will use the example of policies for social relations to show what it means to prioritize well-being in decision making.
The WISER project responds to growing concerns that economic growth alone is no longer sufficient to secure social progress. Rising inequality, loneliness, mental distress, environmental pressures, and stagnating subjective well-being call for a new policy framework that places well-being at the center of decision-making. The Green Book provides actionable guidance for policymakers, drawing on a comprehensive evidence base and innovative tools such as well-being dashboards, efficiency measures, and policy scenarios.
During this session, we will:
- Present the core principles of the WISER framework and its implications for European policy;
- Discuss how to operationalise a “win-win-win-win” strategy combining well-being, sustainability, productivity, and social cohesion;
- Showcase policy-relevant insights on how to strengthen social cohesion, reduce inequalities, and support sustainable lifestyles;
- Engage with policymakers on pathways for implementation.
The session is designed to foster dialogue between researchers and policy makers. We warmly invite researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders interested in shaping the future of sustainable and inclusive well-being to join this discussion.
The webinar will be held in English via Cisco Webex and recorded.
REGISTER
Or use the link: https://etat.webex.com/weblink/register/r0ee0c1ca5e88b36209837896b149bcb3
30th Anniversary Conference of the International Society for Quality of Life Studies (ISQOLS)
WISER announce ITS participation in the 30th Anniversary Conference of the International Society for Quality of Life Studies (ISQOLS), taking place in Luxembourg (22-25 July).
This milestone event brings together researchers, practitioners, and changemakers from around the globe to explore the latest insights in quality-of-life studies and WISER is proud to be a partner, hosting 3 special sessions on 22,23 and 25 July.
These sessions will showcase cutting-edge research, interdisciplinary dialogue, and inspiring speakers who are studying and improving the future of wellbeing metrics and policy.
- Well-being for All through Urban Blue and Green
- Well-being Learnings from Africa and Latin America
- Spaces, Places and Measures of Wellbeing and Happiness
The 23rd Annual ISQOLS Conference is organized in collaboration with the Research Department of STATEC and the University of Luxembourg with the support of the Luxembourg Ministry of the Economy.
Read more about ISQOLS conference here
https://isqols.org/2025
The 2025 WISER General Assembly | July 21
The 2025 WISER General Assembly on 21 July 2025 at the University of Luxembourg, Kirchberg Campus, brings together the researchers involved in the WISER project to present progress, updates, discuss methodologies and development across work packages. It’s a great opportunity to exchange insights, strengthen collaboration, and shape the next steps of the project.
Looking forward to connect, collaborate, and keep pushing forward innovation within the WISER framework: wellbeing, productivity, sustainability, and inclusiveness