Charlotte Poller

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Project Summary

In my doctoral research, I examine the empirical study of well-being in psychology from the mid20th century to the present. This investigation explores the (dis)continuities and transformations of concepts, research methods, and institutions within the frameworks of humanistic and positive psychology. Integrating insights from both historical analysis and the philosophy of science, my work aims to reveal the complex interrelationship of conceptual and methodological changes in the empirical study of well-being, with a particular emphasis on values embedded in the concepts within both traditions.

Talks

• Poller, C. (2026): “Thin Metrics for a Thick Concept: Trade-offs in Global Well-Being Measurement”. Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association (PSA 2026). San Diego, California
• Poller, C. (2026): “Between Thickness and Comparability: Measurement Drivers in Global Well-Being Metrics”. Sixth Biennial Conference of the East European Network for Philosophy of Science (EENPS). University of Bucharest
• Poller, C. (2026): “When Critique Does Not Transform: Institutional Uptake and Modes of Change in Well-Being Research”. Workshop Values in Science in the Rest of the World. University of Helsinki
• Poller, C. (2026): “Between Thickness and Comparability: The Problem of Normative Opacity in Global Well-Being Metrics”. 15th Conference of the European Network for the Philosophy of the Social Sciences (ENPOSS). University of Helsinki
• Poller, C. (2026): “Between Thickness and Comparability: Measurement Drivers in Global Well-being Metrics”. Annual Conference of the British Society for the Philosophy of Science (BSPS). University of Leeds
• Poller, C. (2026): “Between Thickness and Comparability: Measurement Drivers in Global Well-being Metrics”. 11^th Biennal Conference of the Society for Philosophy of Science in Practice (SPSP). University of Cambridge
• Poller, C. (2026): “Between Thickness and Comparability: Measurement Drivers in Global Well-being Metrics”. 33^rd Annual Meeting of the European Society for Philosophy and Psychology (ESPP). University of Utrecht
• Poller, C. (2026): “Thin Metrics for a Thick Concept: Trade-offs in Global Well-being Measurement”. Philosophical Colloquium. Universidad de los Andes
• Poller, C. (2025): “From Variation to Divergence: Rethinking Cultural Variability in Well-Being Research.” PSA Around the World (Online).
• Poller, C. (2025): “The Limits of Pluralism in Well-Being Psychology: Expanding Mid-Level Theorizing Through Geographic Diversity.” 10th Biennial Meeting of the European Philosophy of Science Association (University of Groningen, Netherlands). 
• Poller, C. (2025): “The Limits of Pluralism in Psychological Well-Being Research.” British Society for the Philosophy of Science Annual Conference (University of Glasgow, UK). 
• Poller, C. (2025): “The Limits of Pluralism in Psychological Well-Being Research: Distinguishing Cultural Variation from Conceptual Divergence.” Workshop: Scientific Pluralism, Epistemic Diversity & Progress in Science (Bergische Universität Wuppertal, Germany).
• Poller, C. (2024): “Pluralization in Well-Being Research: Epistemic Challenges of Western Domination.” 8th Panhellenic Conference on Philosophy of Science (University of Athens, Greece).
• Poller, C. (2024): “The Conceptual and Methodological Transformations of Well-Being in Psychological Research.” Satellite Workshop organized by the Eastern European Network for Philosophy of Science (Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland).

Short Biography

• 02/2026–04/2026: Visiting Doctoral Researcher Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá,
  Host: Manuela Fernández Pinto
• Since 2023: Ph.D. candidate in Philosophy and History of Psychology, Bergische Universität Wuppertal
• 2017–2021: M.A in Philosophy of Science (taught in English), Leibniz Universität Hannover
• 2014–2019: B.A. in Cultural Studies and Aesthetic Practice, Stiftungsuniversität Hildesheim
• 2013–2018: B.Sc. in Psychology, Stiftungsuniversität Hildesheim
• 2012–2013: Studium Generale, Leibniz Kolleg Tübingen