Can Joy be Cultivated? Science, Philosophy and Practice

Hein Zegers, MSc, MA, is a well-being psychologist, researcher, and clinical counselor who has spent more than twenty years pursuing a central question: what makes people truly happy? Trained in both Psychology and Philology he bridges the rigor of research with the art of making knowledge accessible. A pioneer of positive psychology in Flanders, he contributed to the world’s first MOOC on the Science of Happiness at UC Berkeley and now coordinates the program of Counseling and Existential Well-Being at KU Leuven, aside from applying his specialized knowledge in his own clinical practice. He has authored two books on the subject (Zooikoorts and Welzijnswetenschap), contributed chapters to international handbooks, and has written countless popular scientific articles on Experiential-Existential Psychotherapy and Counseling, meaning and purpose, minimalism, social media and burnout. Living by his life mission to spread simple happiness, Zegers directly adds happiness to those around him by playing the harmonica and piano in unexpected places.

Prof. Dr. Pascal Chabot is a Belgian philosopher and professor at the Institut des Hautes Études des Communications Sociales (IHECS) in Brussels. He is best known for Global Burn-Out (2013), a landmark book translated into several languages that reframes burnout as a symptom of our civilization. Author of more than ten other works—including Un sens à la vie (2024)—he has written theatre pieces, co-directed award-winning documentaries such as Burning Out and has served as artistic advisor at the Théâtre National de Bruxelles. He is also the curator of Les Rencontres Inattendues, a philosophy festival in Tournai that brings together thinkers, artists, and the public. Bridging academia, the arts, and public life, he addresses diverse audiences in universities, television, cultural institutions, hospitals, and theatres alike. His philosophy engages with the pressures of technocapitalism, the meaning of progress, and the quest for dignity in contemporary existence.

Perrine Mahieu co-founded ‘The Museum of Joy’ (French: Le Musée de la Joie) with her mother, Elizabeth Bouyala. Rather than a physical museum, it is a living method and a series of workshops that awaken, preserve, and activate Joy. For her, Joy is nothing less than a vital fuel for life. She also co-founded Le Cabinet d’Écritures, a creative space dedicated to shaping words and stories for brands. Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, Perrine is the mother of three children—her most constant source of inspiration and experimentation. With them, she often engages in conversations about Joy, exploring together what life offers, whether joyful or less so. Perrine carries the rare gift of turning joy into momentum, and words into living narratives. Fascinated by the human spirit—with all its brilliance and its flaws—she observes how joy reveals itself as a vital force. For her, joy is not a luxury, but a necessity: a current that nourishes both the individual and the collective. She leaves us with her favorite, disarming question: “Without joy… what are we doing?”

Raissa Derckx is a medical doctor and trained neuroscientist driven by a passion for enhancing our quality of life. Whether through nutrition, sports, or psychological insights, she is intrinsically committed to exploring how we can optimize the human body and mind. Her mission is to learn from leading experts and unlock the secrets of staying vibrant and resilient, without being limited by aging or the pressures of modern society. Fascinated by the intricate workings of the mind and body, she’s hence dedicated to bringing cutting-edge scientific knowledge to anyone looking to elevate their physical and mental well-being.