BU Scholars’ Research Explores Flourishing Amidst Adversity
An interdisciplinary group of researchers at Boston University are exploring the question of whether flourishing, or a state of happiness, personal growth, and social connectedness is possible for persons facing major economic, social, or physical challenges. Fourteen scholars shared their research at a November 2021 Research on Tap session, sponsored by the BU Office of Research. Presenters offered insights into far-ranging topics including the ways that women with autism thrive in the workplace, the webs of support that are critical to the well-being of adolescents coping with serious adversity, and flourishing among kidney patients in communities beset with COVID-19. Watch the video, read the slides, or review the agenda to learn more about these innovative projects. Featured faculty included Catherine Caldwell-Harris (CAS), Deborah Carr (CAS), James Katz (COM), Nicolette Manglos-Weber (STH), Makarand Mody (SHA), Taylor Peyton (SHA), Brenda Phillips (CAS), Steven Sandage (STH), Insa Schmidt (MED), Parker Shipton (CAS), Merav Shohet (CAS), Jessica Silbey (LAW), and Jonathan Zaff (Wheelock).
Several of the featured presentations are part of the new BU initiative “Flourishing Under Conditions of Extreme Adversity,” supported by the Templeton World Charity Foundation Grand Challenges for Human Flourishing. The Foundation is investing US $60 million to grow the field of human flourishing to encompass scientific research, practice, and policy. Learn more about the BU team’s developing work, as featured in the Foundation’s November 16, 2021 blog.