With the Exploring our Common Humanity in Diverse Contexts (ECoH) priority, Templeton World Charity Foundation (TWCF) aims to explore the feasibility of establishing regional Collaborative Research Hubs for the study of human flourishing. In early 2023, TWCF ran an open Request for Proposals to undertake an analysis of the research, leadership, partnership, and capacity-building landscape for human flourishing in different regions worldwide. With a focus on South-Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, Moitreyee Sinha of citiesRISE leads one of three projects selected for funding under this competitive process. It is co-directed by Mark Tomlinson of Stellenbosch University, and will feature input from design group, Science Practice.

The project will identify relevant disciplines and topics based on knowledge of the human flourishing landscape in the regions, and refine this knowledge through interviews with key experts. Findings from a rapid desk review of the identified topics in academic literature will be used to create a disciplinary map and database. Gray literature sources such as funding databases, AI search tools, and media platforms will also be included. Analysis of key actors will aid in identifying potential hub leaders, priority partners, and active areas. The team will develop a hub leader selection process and provide capacity-building recommendations.

The project's disciplinary focus for the landscape review will be subjects deemed most relevant for flourishing through local and regional expertise. Topics may include ancient wisdom and spirituality and science; comparative humanities; developmental trajectories; and the challenges of adversity and marginalization. Disciplines related to these topics may include neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, comparative religion, child and adolescent development, and sociology. In Africa, the countries of focus will be Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. In South Asia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan will be prioritized.