Geoffrey L. Cohen, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology and the James G. March Professor of Organizational Studies in Education and Business at Stanford University
LeViis Haney, Ed.D.
Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, IL
Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides
We live in enormously divisive times. Divisions based on class, politics, race, religion, gender, and nationality are erupting around the globe. The consequences of not having a sense of belonging range from political strife to illness to underperformance at work and in the classroom. Americans have become disconnected from their communities, and about one in five Americans suffers from chronic loneliness, especially young adults. Why is our sense of belonging so undermined? What if there were a set of science-backed techniques for navigating modern social life that could help us overcome our differences, create empathy, and forge lasting connections across divides?
Geoffrey L. Cohen, Ph.D. (FAN ’22), Professor of Psychology and the James G. March Professor of Organizational Studies in Education and Business at Stanford University, answers these questions and more in his extraordinary 2022 book Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides. As Prof. Cohen explains, often inadvertently, we behave in ways that threaten others’ sense of belonging. Yet small acts that establish connection, brief activities such as reflecting on our core values, and a wealth of practices that he refers to under the general rubric of “situation-crafting” have been shown to lessen polarization in our politics, 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 our relationships. The book’s research is essential for managers, educators, parents, administrators, caregivers, and everyone who wants those around them to thrive.
Prof. Cohen will be in conversation with LeViis Haney, Ed.D., the Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Adlai E. Stevenson High School. Dr. Haney also teaches principal preparation courses as an adjunct professor at Northeastern Illinois University and Loyola University Chicago, and is a facilitator for the Kaleidoscope Group, a DEI firm based in Chicago.
This event is suitable for youth 12+. It will be recorded but not live streamed and will be available on FAN’s website and YouTube channel.
NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
Event Sponsors
- The Alliance for Early Childhood
- The Avery Coonley School
- Baker Demonstration School
- Beacon Academy
- Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School
- Brickton Montessori School
- British International School of Chicago
- Catherine Cook School
- Chiaravalle Montessori School
- Chicago Jewish Day School
- Compass Health Center
- Connections for the Homeless
- Countryside Day School
- Evanston Scholars
- Evanston Township High School D202
- The Family Institute at Northwestern University
- Family Service Center
- The Frances Xavier Warde School
- Francis W. Parker School
- Glencoe D35
- Gorton Center
- Grayslake Community High School D127
- Haven Youth and Family Services
- Hyde Park Day School
- Illinois Student Assistance Commission
- Kenilworth D38
- Lake Bluff D65
- Lake Forest Academy
- Lake Forest Community High School D115
- Lake Forest Country Day School
- Lake Michigan Association of Independent Schools
- Latin School of Chicago
- Leo Catholic High School
- Loyola Academy
- Lycée Français de Chicago
- Magnetar Capital
- Mindful Psychology Associates PC
- Morgan Park Academy
- Near North Montessori School
- New Trier High School D203
- New Trier Parents’ Association
- North Shore Country Day
- Northwestern University Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations
- Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy
- Pope John XXIII School
- Psychgeist Media
- Rebel Human
- Regina Dominican College Preparatory High School
- Resurrection College Prep High School
- Rogers Park Montessori School
- Roycemore School
- St. Bernard’s School
- Santa Clara University School of Law
- Science & Arts Academy
- The Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School
- Stevenson High School D125
- University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice
- Winnetka D36
- Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District
- Wolcott College Prep
- Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart
- Youth & Opportunity United (Y.O.U.)
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Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence
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Evanston Township High School Auditorium
Note: Event start time is Central Time (CT).
NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Born to Flourish: How New Science and Ancient Wisdom Reveal a Simple Path to Thriving
Richard J. Davidson, Ph.D.
William James and Vilas Research Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry and founder and director of the Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Cortland Dahl, Ph.D.
Chief Contemplative Officer at Humin and research scientist at UW-Madison's Center for Healthy Minds
Jacqueline Moreno
Chief Service Officer of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission
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