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Faculty from the Department of Communication, Kristen Foltz and Theresa MacNeil, will present “Living la Vida Azul,” showcasing their research findings on the traits of people in Blue Zones — five regions around the world where people live significantly longer lives. The talk will take place on Feb. 11 at noon in the Charlene A. Gordon Theater in the Ferman Center for the Arts on campus. This event is free and open to the public.

In the Blue Zones, longevity is often attributed to diet, exercise and genetics. Yet Foltz and MacNeil, both experts in conflict resolution, believe there is another critical factor at play: how people get along with others. The pair recently traveled to the Nicoya Blue Zone in Costa Rica, where they interviewed centenarians to learn about their secrets to getting along with others.

Across interviews, several themes consistently emerged, including prioritizing forgiveness, leaning on spirituality and letting go of negativity. Foltz and MacNeil are among the first researchers to study the social and interpersonal traits of individuals living in Blue Zone regions.

For more information, contact Lena Malpeli at lmalpeli@ut.edu.