John Boudreau
Professor Emeritus, USC Marshall School of Business | Senior Research Scientist, Center for Effective Organizations | Author: Work Without Jobs & Reinventing Jobs
Daniel Gilbert
Edgar Pierce Professor of Psychology at Harvard | Bestselling Author of Stumbling on Happiness | Award-Winning TED Speaker
Daniel Gilbert is one of the world's foremost authorities on happiness and human decision-making. The Edgar Pierce Professor of Psychology at Harvard, his bestselling Stumbling on Happiness won the Royal Society Prize for Science Books. His TED talks rank among the most viewed of all time. Gilbert's keynotes transform how leaders think about fulfillment, bias, and the choices that shape organizational success.
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Daniel Gilbert biography
In his bestselling books and celebrated TED talks, happiness speaker Daniel Gilbert reveals the surprising science behind human fulfillment. One of the most influential psychologists alive, Gilbert has transformed how millions of people understand the relationship between their choices and their well-being.
Gilbert is the Edgar Pierce Professor of Psychology at Harvard University, where he perennially ranks among the most popular teachers on campus. His clinical research on affective forecasting—the study of how people predict their emotional reactions to future events—has reshaped the field of social psychology. His work demonstrates that humans are remarkably poor at anticipating what will make them happy, a finding with profound implications for leadership, strategy, and organizational decision-making.
Bestselling Author and Science Communicator
Gilbert’s book Stumbling on Happiness spent six months on the New York Times bestseller list, has sold over a million copies in more than thirty translations, and won the Royal Society Prize for Science Books. His TED talks on the science of happiness rank among the most viewed in the platform’s history, drawing tens of millions of viewers worldwide. He co-wrote and hosted the PBS series This Emotional Life, which reached over ten million viewers and brought behavioral science into living rooms across the country. A regular contributor to Time, The New York Times, and NPR, Gilbert is one of the most-followed scientists on social media and has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
As a speaker, Daniel Gilbert brings warmth, wit, and rigorous science to the stage. His keynotes offer audiences a new lens for understanding happiness, decision-making, and the cognitive blind spots that undermine personal and professional success. Recognized with the William James Fellow Award and a Guggenheim Fellowship, Gilbert combines world-class academic credentials with an extraordinary ability to make complex science accessible and entertaining. He leaves audiences with practical insights they can apply immediately to their lives, their leadership, and their organizations.
Daniel Gilbert Speaking Videos
Daniel Gilbert – The Psychology of Your Future Self
Dan Gilbert - The Surprising Science of Happiness
Daniel Gilbert Keynote Topics
Most people believe they know exactly what would make them happy—and that the only obstacle is obtaining it. But decades of research in psychology, economics, and neuroscience reveal a different story: humans are surprisingly poor at predicting what will bring them satisfaction, how intense that satisfaction will be, and how long it will last. In this keynote, Professor Gilbert explains why our imaginations consistently mislead us about the future, why the advice of friends and family can compound the problem, and what the science actually says about the true sources of lasting fulfillment. This talk gives leaders and teams a powerful new framework for making better decisions—both personal and professional.
Conventional wisdom tells us what to decide but rarely explains how. The moment we face a novel choice—relocate or stay, invest or hold, hire or pass—we find ourselves without a reliable method. In this keynote, Daniel Gilbert presents a deceptively simple, science-backed method for improving the quality of our decisions. Drawing on research from psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral economics, he reveals the systematic errors that lead to regret and shows why most of us fail to apply the decision-making tools that are already available. This talk is essential for executives, managers, and teams who want to reduce costly mistakes and build a culture of smarter, evidence-based choices.
Human beings are works in progress who mistakenly believe they are finished. Research shows that people consistently underestimate how much their personalities, preferences, and values will change in the years ahead—a phenomenon Gilbert calls the End of History Illusion. This bias leads to poor financial planning, career misalignment, and strained relationships. In this eye-opening keynote, Gilbert explores the science behind why we fail to predict our own evolution and offers strategies for making decisions that serve not just who we are today, but who we are becoming. This talk is especially valuable for organizations navigating transformation, succession planning, and long-term strategic thinking.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Daniel Gilbert
Why Daniel Gilbert?
Daniel Gilbert is that rare speaker who combines the intellectual rigor of a world-class Harvard professor with the storytelling ability of a born entertainer. His research on happiness and decision-making has reached tens of millions through his bestselling book, record-breaking TED talks, and Emmy-considered PBS series. Gilbert does not offer self-help platitudes—he delivers evidence-based insights drawn from decades of peer-reviewed research that fundamentally change how audiences understand their own minds. His keynotes are consistently rated among the most memorable and impactful that audiences have experienced. Book Daniel Gilbert through Aurum Speakers Bureau for your next event and give your audience a transformative experience grounded in real science.
What is affective forecasting?
Affective forecasting is the process by which people predict their future emotional reactions to events—for example, how happy they expect to feel after receiving a promotion or how devastated they expect to feel after a setback. Daniel Gilbert's pioneering research, conducted in collaboration with Timothy Wilson of the University of Virginia, has demonstrated that people are systematically inaccurate in these predictions. We tend to overestimate both the intensity and duration of our emotional responses to future events, a bias that influences everything from career decisions and purchasing behavior to strategic planning and risk assessment.
What can audiences expect from a Daniel Gilbert keynote?
A Daniel Gilbert keynote is an intellectually stimulating, deeply entertaining experience that leaves audiences seeing the world differently. Gilbert combines humor, personal anecdotes, and cutting-edge research findings to challenge conventional assumptions about happiness, success, and the choices that shape our lives. His talks are accessible to any audience—no background in psychology is needed—yet they deliver insights with the depth and precision of a Harvard seminar. Attendees consistently report that Gilbert's presentations spark meaningful conversations long after the event concludes. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to bring Daniel Gilbert to your next conference, leadership retreat, or corporate gathering.
What is Stumbling on Happiness about?
Stumbling on Happiness is Daniel Gilbert's bestselling book that explores why humans are so poor at predicting what will make them happy. Blending psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, and behavioral economics, Gilbert argues that the human brain's unique ability to imagine the future is also its greatest source of error. The book reveals why we overvalue certain experiences, undervalue others, and consistently make choices that our future selves regret. Published to widespread acclaim, it spent six months on the New York Times bestseller list, has been translated into more than thirty languages, and won the prestigious Royal Society Prize for Science Books.
How to book Daniel Gilbert as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Daniel Gilbert as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Daniel Gilbert's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Daniel Gilbert or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Daniel Gilbert speaking fee?
Daniel Gilbert speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Daniel Gilbert to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Daniel Gilbert.
How can I contact Daniel Gilbert?
We only work with Daniel Gilbert on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Daniel Gilbert and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Daniel Gilbert speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Daniel Gilbert for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Daniel Gilbert for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Daniel Gilbert is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Daniel Gilbert for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
