Robert J. Waldinger

Dr. Robert J. Waldinger is a psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and Zen priest whose career integrates scientific research, clinical psychiatry, and contemplative practice. Waldinger is a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, director of the Center for Psychodynamic Therapy and Research at Massachusetts General Hospital, and director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development. He serves as the fourth director of this study, recognized as the longest scientific study of happiness, which began with 724 participants and has expanded to 2,500, including the spouses and descendants of the original group.

Waldinger's research in adult development and mental health highlights that strong social relationships are a key determinant of health and happiness. His work includes studying the children of the original participants to understand how childhood experiences influence midlife health and well-being. Waldinger is also a cofounder of the Lifespan Research Foundation and leads a psychotherapy teaching program for Harvard psychiatry residents. He has received awards for teaching and research from the American Psychiatric Association, Harvard Medical School, and the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society, and is regularly recognized among the Best Doctors in America.

Waldinger is known for translating longitudinal research on happiness and well-being into practical insights. His TED Talk, "What Makes a Good Life?," is among the most-watched TED Talks. He co-authored "The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness" with Marc Schulz, a New York Times bestseller that explores the connection between relationships and overall well-being.

In addition to his scientific contributions, Waldinger is a Zen priest and transmitted teacher in both Sōtō and Rinzai lineages, teaching Zen in New England and internationally. His work combines psychiatry, longitudinal research, and Zen Buddhist principles to provide a perspective on mental health and human flourishing that appeals to audiences seeking evidence-based guidance for everyday life.