Connect+Conversations

The Problem

One of the most widespread, urgent public health crises of our time is social isolation and loneliness. It affected up to two-thirds of the US population before COVID-19, costs Medicare $6.7 billion each year, and shortens people’s lives.

The Solution

Public health priorities require comprehensive public health strategies. We believe that every sector can be involved in creating a culture of greater connection. And every individual, community, and organization has a role to play.

The Series

Connect+Conversations explored how to address the loneliness epidemic and promote social health by convening researchers, community leaders, and anyone who is committed to a more connected society. Thank you to everyone who joined!

Kelli Harding, MD, MPH

Professor of psychiatry at Columbia University and author of “The Rabbit Effect: Live Longer, Happier, and Healthier with the Groundbreaking Science of Kindness.”

Louise Hawkley, PhD

Principal Research Scientist at NORC at the University of Chicago and leading researcher on the long-term health effects of social isolation and loneliness among older adults.

Julianne Holt-Lunstad, PhD

Professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University and leading researcher on the long-term health effects of social connection.

Marc Schulz, PhD

Professor of psychology at Bryn Mawr College, Associate Director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, and Senior Advisor for the Lifespan Research Foundation.

Nancy Baym, PhD

Senior Principal Research Manager at Microsoft, author of "Personal Connections in the Digital Age,” and leading researcher on workplace relationships and the future of work.

Paty Rios, PhD

Research and Housing Lead at Happy City, specializing in social well-being in the built environment and methodology to design urban parks that promote social cohesion.

Jasmine Little, MA

Experience Designer at Culdesac, a real estate development company building the first car-free neighborhood from scratch in the US, and a community innovator.

Erin Peavey, MArch

Architect and Design Researcher at HKS, host of the podcast “Shared Space,” and author of the report, “Connecting IRL: How the Built Environment Can Foster Social Health.”

Mark Van Ryzin, PhD

Research Associate Professor at the University of Oregon and leading researcher on the impact of teacher-student relationships and peer relations on youth development.

Harita Kalvai

Junior in high school and Teen Board Member at Beyond Differences, a national nonprofit that inspires students to end social isolation and create cultures of belonging at school.

Richard Weissbourd, EdD

Faculty Director of the Harvard Making Caring Common Project, which partners with families, educators, and communities to raise kids who care about others.

Carla Perissinotto, MD, MHS

Professor of Medicine in the Division of Geriatrics at UCSF and leading researcher on solutions for social isolation and loneliness among older adults.

Lisbeth Briones-Roberts, MS

Chief Togetherness Officer at SCAN Health Plan, where she develops and scales programs that address social isolation and loneliness among patients.

Sarah DeSilvey, DNP, FNP

Rural family nurse practitioner and Director of Clinical Informatics at The Gravity Project, a national initiative to implement social prescribing in healthcare settings.

Tom Kamber, PhD

Founder and Executive Director of Older Adults Technology Services (OATS), delivering free technology training and programs to older adults, and a leading expert on aging and technology.

Nicole Ellison, PhD

Karl E. Weick Collegiate Professor of Information at the University of Michigan, specializing in research on online interactions, communication, and relationships.

Isa Watson, MBA, MS

Founder of Squad, the intimate voice-only social experience that makes it easy to stay connected everyday to your closest people, and a Top 100 MIT Alumni in Tech.

Christopher Mikton, PhD

Technical Officer at the World Health Organization in the Department of Social Determinants of Health, leading global initiatives on social isolation and loneliness among older adults.

Kripa Sreepada, MHA

Health Policy Advisor to Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and expert in federal legislation that addresses social isolation and loneliness, including the Older Americans Act.

Sarah Needler, MPA

Director of Research at the Council of State Governments in the Center of Innovation and co-lead for the report “Social Isolation and Loneliness: State Policies and Interventions.”

Frederick J. Riley

Executive Director of Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute, which aims to build social trust and address the crisis of connection across the US.

Kate Hoepke, MBA

35+ year community builder and leader in the national village movement, including as Executive Director of the San Francisco Village and chair of the Village Movement California.

Kat Vellos

Expert in friendship and connection and author of the books “We Should Get Together: The Secret to Cultivating Better Friendships” and “Connected from Afar.”

“It was worth getting up early for this webinar! Thanks to the excellent speakers. Now more than ever we need to strive to design cities that bring communities back together in safe, inclusive, and connected ways.”

— Participant in Connect+Cities

“Thank you for pulling this kick-ass panel together! You and the presenters have created such a warm and open atmosphere and the discussions were engaging even for a complete rookie like myself.”

— Participant in Connect+Cities

“The whole meeting made me think more intentionally about connection at work. I tended to think of work as only a place to get stuff done, but I’ve definitely been at jobs where I felt connected and it made a huge difference not only in my productivity, but also my happiness.”

— Participant in Connect+Work

“Really enjoyed the panel discussion. So interesting to learn more about the connection between loneliness and health.”

— Participant in Connect+Health

“The breakout room gave a great opportunity to connect with others interested in the topic of social health from around the world.”

— Participant in Connect+Health