Wellbeing and Societal Transformation: Embedding Wellbeing Science into Policy, Interventions, and Governance

The world is experiencing a meta-crisis of rising mental illness, social fragmentation, technological risks, and ecological collapse. To create a healthier, more connected, and sustainable future, bold thinking is needed to place wellbeing at the heart of society. This fellowship will provide resources, training, and collaborations to equip me in becoming a leader in driving systemic change through wellbeing science. My research focuses on improving wellbeing at individual, community, and planetary levels, with the ultimate goal of influencing large-scale strategies that reduce inequalities and support societal transformation. During this fellowship, I will consolidate findings from my PhD, which evaluated the effectiveness of a wide range of wellbeing interventions and explored how wellbeing can be embedded into healthcare and community settings. Publishing these results in high-impact journals will be a central priority, demonstrating my capability to contribute to cutting-edge wellbeing research. A major aim of the fellowship is to develop a policy brief translating my findings into actionable recommendations, working closely with regional partners in Wales. By leading meetings, engaging with stakeholders, and co-developing recommendations, I will gain a deeper understanding of the practical barriers and opportunities involved in translating research into healthcare policy and service design. I will also undertake advanced training in economics for public policy through the London School of Economics. I will spend time expanding my knowledge on economic modelling and cost-effectiveness analysis, as I understand the need for both evidence of impact and financial viability when justifying investment in wellbeing-based policies. A central component of this fellowship is a one-month international research visit to The University of Melbourne, a world-leading centre for wellbeing science, with internationally recognised expertise spanning positive psychology, wellbeing science, and contemplative science. During this visit, I will be based at the Contemplative Sciences Centre and will engage in research seminars, present my work and connect with academics across relevant schools within University. Through discussions, and seminars with leading wellbeing researchers, I will identify gaps, and explore opportunities for collaborative projects. Finally, to ensure my research reaches beyond academia, I plan to write articles for platforms such as The Conversation. Public engagement will help shape how wellbeing science is understood and applied by practitioners, policymakers, and the wider public. This fellowship will provide the time, resources, and strategic opportunities needed to move from focused research to a comprehensive understanding of how to create large-scale, systemic change. By publishing high-impact work, engaging directly with healthcare policy, and expanding my network, I will build the expertise needed to lead efforts to prioritise wellbeing in policy and governance, helping shape a healthier and more sustainable future for society.