Kat Kavanagh

Games are designed to be challenging, enjoyable and social. But did you know that there’s scientific proof that approaching your life from a gameful perspective makes you happier, more successful, and more resilient?

Kat Kavanagh delights in making the mundane exciting, whether it’s races, games or competitions (with random prizes!). Kat has been described as having the spirit of 5-year old: she can’t help but transform everyday life into fun and games.

Luckily, her passion fits her work: she’s a web/graphic/game designer, who loves making fulfilling and joyful experiences. In the past, she was lucky enough to work as a designer on SuperBetter, a science-backed game that uses game concepts to help you get over illness and injury. Last year, she helped design “Can I Help?”, an award-winning game for the Government of Canada to facilitate difficult conversations on mental health and wellness.

When design alone wasn't enough, Kat's gameful nature allowed her to redefine her life in science. She co-founded a crowdsourcing app called Water Rangers, which inspires citizens to collect open, accessible water quality observations.

This game-filled talk will explore how shifting our mindset can help us live more fulfilling lives!