Invitation to Professor Andrea Samson’s inaugural lecture

Humour can change the way we perceive a difficult situation – and therefore how we feel about it. But what makes humour an emotion regulation strategy? What cognitive, emotional, social and neural mechanisms are involved? And why can humour be helpful in some situations, but less effective or even inappropriate in others?

In her inaugural lecture, Andrea Samson will explore these questions from the perspectives of emotion research and the psychology of humour. Drawing on theoretical approaches, experimental research and examples from everyday life, she will highlight both the potential and the limitations of humour as a resource for emotion regulation.

Andrea Samson is Full Professor of Psychology at UniDistance Suisse and Head of the chEERS Lab. Her research lies at the intersection of emotion research, the psychology of humour and mental health. Her work focuses in particular on positive emotions, emotion regulation and socio-emotional processes in people with and without neurodevelopmental disorders. 

The inaugural lecture is open to the public and gives newly appointed professors the opportunity to present their research and teaching activities to the scientific community, teaching teams, students and staff of UniDistance Suisse.

You are warmly invited to attend online or in person at the Brig campus. Registration is required for in-person attendance. The registration deadline is 30 September 2026.

Register here