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:
- Foster scientific progress in flow research
and application
- Facilitate cooperation for research and
funding within European borders and beyond
- Support
enlargement of the network in Europe
- Promote education and
training on flow in academic institutions:
- Foster
the inclusion of flow science in academic curricula
- Facilitate
young researchers’ academic development
- Promote
the exchange of students, lecturers and researchers between institutions
- Stimulate exchange within society at large:
- Enhance
the visibility and usability of flow as a relevant indicator of well-being
- Spur
the dialogue between academics, practitioners and policy makers
- 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.
If you would like to join the EFRN...
Please
get in touch and we will be glad to add you to our mailing lists so you will be included in future meetings and projects.