The Things You Do / The Big 5 International Research Symposium Bergen, Norway 20-21 May 2027
We are delighted to announce the first international meeting of researchers working on The Things You Do (TYD) / Big 5 research programme — a growing international collaboration examining the role of everyday actions in mental health and wellbeing. The Symposium will be held on 20-21 May 2027 in Bergen, Norway, with sessions hosted at Haukeland University Hospital (final venue details will be confirmed).
About the Research Programme
The Things You Do / Big 5 programme has systematically investigated everyday actions strongly associated with mental health, at what frequency, whether these relationships are causal, and whether findings generalise across cultures and care settings. To date, 14 published studies have been completed across four levels of inquiry — from large cross-sectional and psychometric studies, through longitudinal observational and experimental designs, to cross-cultural validation studies spanning six countries and five languages.
The programme has identified five key domains of daily action — meaningful activities, healthy thinking, goals and plans, healthy routines, and social connections — as the strongest behavioural correlates of depression, anxiety, and life satisfaction. Evidence from randomised controlled trials has demonstrated that brief interventions targeting these actions can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and that restricting these actions in healthy adults can rapidly induce clinically significant symptoms.
Research is currently underway or in planning across 10 countries, and this meeting brings together teams from 9 countries to share progress and shape the next phase of the programme.
Symposium Purpose and Programme
This is a working research meeting. Its purpose is to:
- Briefly review the TYD research programme and its key findings to date
- Share and discuss current and planned research, recent results, and emerging opportunities
- Discuss the conceptual and theoretical frameworks underpinning the programme
- Review experimental findings and their implications
- Present and discuss examples of use in routine clinical care, including outcomes
- Identify shared challenges and open questions facing the international research community
- Strengthen collaboration across teams and countries
The Symposium programme will include arranged presentations by participants, small group discussions, and open plenary sessions. All participants will be invited to contribute at least one arranged talk on a topic relating to their work (topic to be confirmed in consultation with the organising committee).
Who Should Attend
This meeting is intended for researcher teams and clinician-researchers who are actively engaged in the TYD/Big 5 research programme or related work on everyday actions and mental health. We welcome participants from all countries and career stages.
Registration and Costs
- Registration fee: None — there is no registration fee for this meeting.
- Travel and accommodation: Participants are responsible for arranging and funding their own travel and accommodation. We encourage participants to seek funding support from their home institutions (a formal letter of invitation is available upon request to support funding applications — please contact us).
- We are happy to provide letters confirming your invitation and participation role to support institutional funding applications.
Accommodation in Bergen
Bergen is a vibrant and beautiful city on Norway's southwestern coast, easily accessible by air, rail, and ferry. The following accommodation options are available close to Haukeland University Hospital and Bergen city centre:
Suggested Hotels:
- Grand Hotel Terminus – a classic hotel located next to Bergen Railway Station and only a short walk from the Bybanen stop.
https://www.debergenske.no/en/norway-bergen/hotels/grand-hotel-terminus - Zander K Hotel – located right next door to Grand Hotel Terminus, with equally convenient access to public transport.
https://www.debergenske.no/en/norway-bergen/hotels/zander-k - Hotel Norge by Scandic – a slightly more upscale option located in the heart of Bergen city centre.
https://www.scandichotels.com/en/hotels/hotel-norge-by-scandic - Scandic Ørnen – another centrally located hotel situated close to the Bybanen and within walking distance of most city attractions.
https://www.scandichotels.com/en/hotels/scandic-ornen
Participants are advised to book accommodation early, as Bergen is a popular destination in May.
Contact and Expressions of Interest
For further information, to register your interest in attending, or to request a formal letter of invitation for institutional funding purposes, please contact:
The Organising Committee
Professor Tine Nordgreen, Professor Nick Titov, Dr Smiti Kahlon, and Ms Åsne Halskau
For Helse
Centre for Digital Innovations XXXX
Haukeland University Hospital
[Email address]
[Phone number]