This page is for online tickets only. For ‘in person’ Theatre tickets, go to this theatre page. Both in person and online ticket holders will have access to the event recording.

We all seek happiness, but our minds often hinder us. In our mental mazes, we fixate on shortcomings, compare ourselves unfavourably to others, and overlook life's positives.

In this discourse, renowned psychologist and former Christmas Lecturer Bruce Hood shifts focus from self-care to connection. Through seven transformative lessons grounded in neuroscience and developmental psychology, Bruce unveils a new narrative on well-being. From altering your ego to connecting with others, each lesson provides practical takeaways, empowering you to rewire your thinking.

Join Bruce for insights into happiness, breaking free from negative patterns, and transforming life through the science of well-being.

Copies of Hood's latest book 'The Science of Happiness' will be available to purchase at this discourse.

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And as we're always trying to understand more about you our audiences at the Ri, you'll notice we've introduced some optional questions when booking tickets. Please do take a moment to fill them in if you have the time.

Discourses are one of the Ri’s oldest and most prestigious series of talks. Since 1825, audiences in the theatre have witnessed countless mind-expanding moments, including the first public liquefaction of air by James Dewar, the announcement of the electron by JJ Thomson and over 100 lectures by Michael Faraday. In more recent times, we have had Nobel laureates, Fields medal winners, scientists, authors and artists – all from the cutting-edge of their field. Discourses are an opportunity for the best and brightest to share their work with the world.

Steeped in nearly two centuries of tradition, a Discourse is more than just a lecture. To keep the focus on the topic, presenters begin sharply at 7:30pm without introduction and we lock the speaker into a room ten minutes ahead of the start (legend has it that a speaker once tried to escape!). Some of our guests dress smartly for our Discourse events to add to this sense of occasion.

Discourses are free for Ri Members and Patrons - consider joining today.

Find out more about the history of Discourses on our blog.

The doors will open at approximately 6.45pm, with a prompt start at 7.30pm. There will be a brief question/answer period after the talk.

Latecomers will be admitted to the gallery.

Event image by Pixabay via Pexels