Wired for Connection: The Science of Happiness, Friendship, and Loneliness

Have you ever felt alone in a crowded room? Or wished for a friend who truly gets you—not just someone to hang out with, but someone who sees you, hears you, and understands you?

Being human means navigating the delicate balance between friendship, loneliness, and the search for happiness. And while college can be full of social opportunities, it can also be one of the loneliest times in life. You're not imagining it—research shows that even in our hyper-connected world, loneliness has become so widespread that it's now considered a public health epidemic.

This talk is designed to help you reflect on your own experiences with connection. We’ll dive into the science of loneliness and social support, explore how your current relationships might be affecting your well-being, and look at how leisure-based social structures—like clubs, teams, and shared hobbies—can foster meaningful, reciprocal friendships.

Whether you're thriving socially or feeling a little lost, this conversation is for you. Because everyone deserves to feel connected—and sometimes, understanding the “why” behind our feelings is the first step toward building the kind of friendships that truly matter.

This talk is presented by Shay Dawson, who specializes in Disability Studies and Community Inclusion as well as Recreational Therapy and Rehabilitation at CMU. Dawson teaches the course RPL 101: Pursuit of Happiness: Exploring Leisure Social Structures. He received the 2024 Distinguished Professor of the Year award by the Michigan Association of State Universities.

Critical Engagements: Questions That Matter

This presentation is the kickoff event for the 2025-2026 Critical Engagements series. Critical Engagements is a collaborative project housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences that makes the academic mission of Central Michigan University concrete by highlighting how our students, faculty, and community are tackling the world’s most pressing and difficult questions.