European Flow Researchers Network

The European Flow Researchers Network (EFRN) is a group of like-minded yet diverse researchers from across Europe, investigating flow experience. We also have some affiliate members from other parts of the world.

What is Flow? - Current Definition

Flow was first described by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in his book Beyond Boredom and Anxiety in 1975. It is a gratifying state of deep involvement and absorption that individuals report when facing a challenging activity and they perceive adequate abilities to cope with these challenges.  Flow is described as an optimal experience during which people are deeply motivated to persist in their activities. Research shows that flow experiences can have far-reaching implications in supporting individuals’ growth, by contributing both to personal well-being and full functioning in everyday life.

The Mission of the Network is to:

• Develop and share a common understanding of the concept and measurement of flow based on rigorous scientific standards

• Stimulate exchange within the scientific community:

1. Foster scientific progress in flow research and application
2. Facilitate cooperation for research and funding within European borders and beyond
3. Support enlargement of the network in Europe

• Promote education and training on flow in academic institutions:

1. Foster the inclusion of flow science in academic curricula
2. Facilitate young researchers’ academic development
3. Promote the exchange of students, lecturers and researchers between institutions

• Stimulate exchange within society at large:

1. Enhance the visibility and usability of flow as a relevant indicator of well-being
2. Spur the dialogue between academics, practitioners and policy makers
3. Spread the flow concept and responsible flow applications among individuals, organizations, institutions and communities

Areas of flow research include:

Psychophysiological processes

Instruments and measurement

Phenomenology

Health and well-being

Work and organizations

Free time and leisure

Social relations

Education and learning

Cross-cultural issues

Interaction Design

Network activities include:

Research

• Developing and conducting projects in different areas of flow research
• Offering  a constantly updated database of the latest advancements on flow research and applications
• Communicating research outcomes and Network activities within the Network community through a regular newsletter, social network exchange, website and mailing lists
• Organizing, attending and supporting national and international conferences, seminars, training programs, workshops, summer schools, and meetings

Communication

• Being active in publishing books, special issues and articles in national and international journals and in community magazines
• Offering mentoring opportunities and mobility facilitation through official European programs
• Establishing official connections with national and international associations pursuing similar goals within and beyond our disciplines

Application

• Disseminating our research into the public domain
• Providing consultancy activities to enable government officials, national and international institutions and organizations (e.g., academics, health and social care professionals, sport professionals and business leaders) to develop suitable flow-based interventions to promote wellbeing, public health and sustainable performance
• Applying research results to central life contexts (e.g., family, work, leisure, and education)

Who are our members?

We have members from across Europe.  Although confined officially to members living and working within Europe, we also have links internationally and are always open to collaborations further afield.  Our members are academic scientists from fields such as psychology, occupational therapy, education and computer science, as well as practitioners who work towards applying the tenets of flow theory in settings such as the workplace, therapeutic and educational settings, and in sports and recreation, to directly improve people's daily lives.