Rate Professor Peggy Kern

Professional Summary: Professor Peggy Kern

Professor Peggy Kern is a distinguished academic at the University of Melbourne, Australia, with a focus on positive psychology, well-being, and health psychology. Her work bridges research and application, contributing significantly to understanding individual and collective well-being across educational and organizational contexts.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Kern holds advanced degrees in psychology with a strong foundation in research methodologies:

• Ph.D. in Psychology, University of California, Riverside (2010), specializing in positive psychology and social/personality psychology.
• Master of Arts in Psychology, University of California, Riverside.
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Arizona State University.

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Professor Kern’s research primarily focuses on:

• Positive psychology, with an emphasis on well-being, resilience, and flourishing.
• Health psychology and the intersection of psychological well-being with physical health.
• Development of assessment tools for measuring well-being in educational and workplace settings.
• Application of big data and analytics to understand patterns of well-being at individual and societal levels.

Career History and Appointments

Professor Kern has held several notable positions in academia:

• Associate Professor, Centre for Positive Psychology, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne (current position).
• Senior Lecturer, Centre for Positive Psychology, University of Melbourne (prior to current role).
• Researcher and Lecturer, University of Pennsylvania, working under Professor Martin Seligman in the Positive Psychology Center.

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Professor Kern has been recognized for her contributions to psychology and education:

• Recipient of multiple research grants from Australian and international funding bodies for well-being research.
• Recognized as a leading researcher in positive psychology by peers and academic communities.

Key Publications

Professor Kern has authored numerous influential works, including books, peer-reviewed articles, and book chapters. Some notable publications include:

• A Multidimensional Approach to Measuring Well-Being in Students: Application of the PERMA Framework (2015), co-authored with others, published in The Journal of Positive Psychology.
• Exploring the Relationships Between Well-Being and Physical Health (2017), published in Health Psychology Review.
• Assessing Employee Wellbeing in Schools Using a Multi-Item Biopsychosocial Scale (2019), published in International Journal of Wellbeing.
• Co-editor of The Routledge Handbook of Positive Education (forthcoming), contributing to frameworks for well-being in educational settings.

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Kern’s research has had a profound impact on the field of positive psychology, particularly in educational and organizational contexts. Her development of the PERMA-Profiler, a tool for measuring well-being, is widely used by researchers and practitioners globally. Her work has influenced policy and practice in schools, promoting well-being as a core component of education. Additionally, her use of big data to analyze well-being trends has positioned her as a pioneer in integrating technology with psychological research.

Public Lectures, Roles in Committees, and Editorial Contributions

Professor Kern is actively involved in disseminating knowledge and shaping academic discourse:

• Regular speaker at international conferences on positive psychology and education, including the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA) World Congress.
• Contributor to public-facing initiatives, such as webinars and workshops on well-being for educators and organizations.
• Serves on editorial boards and as a peer reviewer for leading journals in psychology and education.
• Active member of professional organizations, including the International Positive Psychology Association.