Our Work

See our work in action through our flagship products and initiatives. These examples demonstrate how economics, psychology, and culture interact and overlap to influence human flourishing.

We believe opportunity and social mobility are crucial to human flourishing. We developed a national index to measure the environment for social mobility in all 50 U.S. states, based on research-supported indicators across four pillars: Entrepreneurship and Economic Growth, Institutions and the Rule of Law, Education and Skills Development, and Social Capital. Our findings demonstrate how structural factors can serve as barriers or supports to upward mobility. Social mobility is the opportunity to better oneself and those around you. While it commonly refers to a person’s ability to climb the income ladder and outearn the previous generation, social mobility is also concerned with achievement, aspirations, purpose, and skills development. That is why we must go beyond mere economics.

Since 2020, we have conducted a national survey to measure the health of the American Dream according to the American people. Beyond the economic data, our survey seeks to capture people’s beliefs and aspirations about their ability to achieve the American Dream. Over the past five years, the majority of Americans consistently report that they have achieved or are on their way to achieving the American Dream. Moreover, when asked to define the essential elements of the Dream, most Americans say “freedom of choice in how to live” and “a good family life” are most important. This sheds light on the cultural attitudes of Americans and helps us understand what “flourishing” means in the American context.

The Human Flourishing Lab was born out of a puzzling juxtaposition: We are living in some of the most prosperous times in human history, yet there are a number of trends that tell a story of growing cynicism, distrust, disconnection, anxiety, and hopelessness among Americans, especially among young people. To meet this unprecedented challenge, we must broaden our perspective and focus on the role of human psychology and agency in cultivating a mindset that encourages progress and supports individual and societal flourishing. The Lab does just that through original research and outreach to media and the public.

We are also concerned with human progress and its relationship to flourishing. Discussions about human progress often focus on technological, economic, and policy factors. These are critical variables. However, progress is ultimately powered by people. In 2024, we launched Progress Pulse to explore how Americans think about progress through a series of regular surveys on human advancement, emerging technologies, and visions of the future. This series is part of the Human Flourishing Lab’s initiative to examine the psychology of progress and its broader implications

The problems we face today are complex and multifaceted—from increasing polarization and mental distress to declines in freedom and dynamism—and require innovative solutions. Unfortunately, too many of our current narratives focus on cultivating a victimhood mindset or zero-sum, us-versus-them culture wars. We started Profectus Magazine to kickstart a cultural conversation around optimistic, positive-sum, solutions-oriented ideas. We strive to feature thoughtful essays, interviews, reviews, and roundtable discussions, alongside inspiring artwork, that stimulate new thinking on what it means to flourish.

The problems we face today are complex and multifaceted—from increasing polarization and mental distress to declines in freedom and dynamism—and require innovative solutions. Unfortunately, too many of our current narratives focus on cultivating a victimhood mindset or zero-sum, us-versus-them culture wars. We started Profectus Magazine to kickstart a cultural conversation around optimistic, positive-sum, solutions-oriented ideas. We strive to feature thoughtful essays, interviews, reviews, and roundtable discussions, alongside inspiring artwork, that stimulate new thinking on what it means to flourish.

The problems we face today are complex and multifaceted—from increasing polarization and mental distress to declines in freedom and dynamism—and require innovative solutions. Unfortunately, too many of our current narratives focus on cultivating a victimhood mindset or zero-sum, us-versus-them culture wars. We started Profectus Magazine to kickstart a cultural conversation around optimistic, positive-sum, solutions-oriented ideas. We strive to feature thoughtful essays, interviews, reviews, and roundtable discussions, alongside inspiring artwork, that stimulate new thinking on what it means to flourish.

Finally, our American Originals project traces the stories of those who charted their own paths, overcame barriers and achieved a better life for themselves and those around them by embracing personal responsibility, hard work, and an entrepreneurial spirit. By highlighting these success stories, we hope to demonstrate the value that these leaders have created and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.