Sense of Belonging

Social Networking

Are We Trading Convenience for Connection?

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on January 16, 2026

Everyday convenience is reshaping how we connect. Here's why small social moments matter, what we misjudge about others, and how to rebuild connection in daily life.

Everyday convenience is reshaping how we connect. Here's why small social moments matter, what we misjudge about others, and how to rebuild connection in daily life.

Emotions

Feeling Overwhelmed by Christmas? Building Contentment Can Help

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on December 8, 2025

A calmer approach to the season begins with noticing what is already enough. Being content at Christmas might be easier than you think.

A calmer approach to the season begins with noticing what is already enough. Being content at Christmas might be easier than you think.

Relationships

Dance as an Ode to Belonging

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on November 30, 2025

A silent disco might look solitary, yet shared movement can create moments of real belonging. This piece explores why dancing with others helps people feel like they belong.

A silent disco might look solitary, yet shared movement can create moments of real belonging. This piece explores why dancing with others helps people feel like they belong.

Education

Belonging Starts Here: Helping Students Feel at Home

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on November 20, 2025

Belonging shapes how newly arrived immigrant students settle and learn. A researcher shares what helps them feel recognized, supported, and ready for school.

Belonging shapes how newly arrived immigrant students settle and learn. A researcher shares what helps them feel recognized, supported, and ready for school.

Happiness

A Different Kind of Happiness: The Quiet Power of Contentment

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on November 20, 2025

Contentment offers a calmer way to feel well. This steady emotion supports self-acceptance, balance, and a gentler approach to everyday life.

Contentment offers a calmer way to feel well. This steady emotion supports self-acceptance, balance, and a gentler approach to everyday life.

Loneliness

The Power of Passing Encounters: Why Strangers Matter for Well-being

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on November 18, 2025

3. Join or reclaim a "third space."

3. Join or reclaim a "third space."

Education

Why Your First Day at University Matters More Than You Think

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on October 26, 2025

New research tracking nearly 2 million university students shows how much early experiences matter and that belonging predicts who stays.

New research tracking nearly 2 million university students shows how much early experiences matter and that belonging predicts who stays.

Education

What Students in Their First Year of School Need to Belong

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on October 20, 2025

Discover what 108 five-year-olds revealed about belonging when researchers asked them to draw their school experiences and why their answers surprised educators.

Discover what 108 five-year-olds revealed about belonging when researchers asked them to draw their school experiences and why their answers surprised educators.

Relationships

The Power of Knowing Your Neighbors: From Hello to Help

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on April 26, 2025

I found my sense of belonging in an unlikely spot—a suburban rubbish bin.

I found my sense of belonging in an unlikely spot—a suburban rubbish bin.

Education

When School Feels Like Home

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on March 22, 2025

New research shows what truly matters for young children's belonging isn't classrooms or curriculum—it's relationships and feeling valued.

New research shows what truly matters for young children's belonging isn't classrooms or curriculum—it's relationships and feeling valued.

Adolescence

School Belonging Today, Better Substance Choices Tomorrow

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on March 6, 2025

A landmark study from the Australian Temperament Project reveals that school belonging in adolescence significantly influences substance use patterns into adulthood.

A landmark study from the Australian Temperament Project reveals that school belonging in adolescence significantly influences substance use patterns into adulthood.

Education

What's Going Right in Teaching?

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on February 24, 2025

Recent research reveals a surprising bright spot in education: Eighty-five percent of teachers feel strong professional belonging. Our study shows how this belonging could be maintained.

Recent research reveals a surprising bright spot in education: Eighty-five percent of teachers feel strong professional belonging. Our study shows how this belonging could be maintained.

Positive Psychology

Could Technology Be Your Next Positive Psychology Coach?

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on November 24, 2024

Jibo, a social robot, was designed to use positive psychology to help boost college students' well-being. Did it succeed?

Jibo, a social robot, was designed to use positive psychology to help boost college students' well-being. Did it succeed?

Resilience

Can Stories Build Resilience in Children?

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on November 22, 2024

Storytelling is a powerful tool to foster resilience in children by helping them process adversity, develop empathy, and build emotional strength.

Storytelling is a powerful tool to foster resilience in children by helping them process adversity, develop empathy, and build emotional strength.

Altruism

Being “There” for Others: What’s in It for You?

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on November 20, 2024

Other-oriented approaches and prosocial behaviors can offer mutual benefits, improving a person's well-being and life satisfaction. Here's how it works.

Other-oriented approaches and prosocial behaviors can offer mutual benefits, improving a person's well-being and life satisfaction. Here's how it works.

Gratitude

How to Practice Gratitude the Right Way

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on November 18, 2024

Gratitude boosts mental health by reducing stress and fostering positivity. What a gratitude practice looks like, and whether it's helpful to you, can depend on these key factors.

Gratitude boosts mental health by reducing stress and fostering positivity. What a gratitude practice looks like, and whether it's helpful to you, can depend on these key factors.

Education

PISA 2022 Results for Students Sense of Belonging at School

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on December 6, 2023

Pivotal insights on school belonging from PISA 2022.

Pivotal insights on school belonging from PISA 2022.

Cognition

What "Belonging" Means Around the Globe

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on July 7, 2023

While the word "belonging" may vary across multiple languages and interpretations may vary, our need for it remains universal.

While the word "belonging" may vary across multiple languages and interpretations may vary, our need for it remains universal.

Education

Measuring School Belonging

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on July 4, 2023

More schools are measuring belonging. Interpretation of school belonging results should acknowledge individuality and needs.

More schools are measuring belonging. Interpretation of school belonging results should acknowledge individuality and needs.

Artificial Intelligence

Voices from Beyond: How AI Could Offer a Path to Immortality

Kelly-Ann Allen Ph.D. on June 24, 2023

A Personal Perspective: What are the ethical complexities of having your loved one live on digitally?

A Personal Perspective: What are the ethical complexities of having your loved one live on digitally?