What does it mean to flourish? And what can be done for those who are not flourishing? Sagamore’s fellows and partners are working to answer that question with evidence and then put the answers to work in everyday life. Highlights include the largest study of human well-being ever conducted, led by senior fellow Dr. Byron Johnson, to faith-led renewal in cities, and mental health policy innovation.
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Advancing Human Flourishing
Our Projects
Understanding Human Flourishing
Sagamore Senior Fellow Byron Johnson co-directs the Global Flourishing Study, the largest scientific study of human well-being ever conducted. A $43.4 million collaboration among Baylor University, Harvard University, Gallup, and the Center for Open Science, the study follows more than 200,000 people across 22 countries over five years, measuring flourishing across six dimensions: happiness, health, meaning, character, relationships, and financial stability. The first findings were released in 2025, with the initial waves of data now publicly available.
Society for Global Flourishing
Sagamore Institute partners with the Global Flourishing Society, a global network translating cutting-edge research on human well-being into real-world impact across communities.
In June 2026, the Society convened global leaders at the Global Summit: Fostering Hope for Children in Vatican City—bringing together partners from Harvard, Baylor, and leading international organizations to advance a holistic vision of flourishing.
Sagamore is honored that the Society’s President, Dr. Jennifer S. Wortham, participated in this landmark gathering—strengthening the connection between global research and local impact.
State level innovations
The governors of Tennessee and Indiana are turning to networks of faith-based and community groups and state-of-the-art technology to help their most vulnerable citizens access essential services at their point of need. Beyond, they help those in distress find pathways to restoration and well-being.
State Level Policy reform
Hosted at Sagamore, the Secretaries’ Innovation Group is a membership network of state human services and workforce leaders founded in 2011. Members share proven ideas and collaborate on policies that help families move from crisis to work, stability, and self-reliance. Viewing public benefits as a bridge rather than a destination, the group focuses on strengthening families, expanding workforce pathways, and promoting the dignity that comes with employment and stable housing.
Agents of Flourishing
Senior Fellow Amy Sherman directs Sagamore’s Center on Faith in Communities. In her book Agents of Flourishing: Pursuing Shalom in Every Corner of Society, she argues that faith communities can foster lasting civic renewal by strengthening schools, businesses, the arts, and neighborhoods. Organized around six societal endowments—the Good, the True, the Beautiful, the Just, the Prosperous, and the Sustainable—the book presents a practical vision of shalom as the foundation for flourishing communities.