RESEARCH PROJECT
Working with Harvard to promote student flourishing at Sevenoaks
In seeking to encapsulate their educational aims , many schools have adopted the language of flourishing . Few , however , have moved beyond usage of the term in a broad , generic sense . As the first step in providing a clear framework for measuring and promoting flourishing at Sevenoaks , the Institute for Teaching and Learning embarked upon a two-year project with Research Schools International and researchers from the Harvard Human Flourishing Programme , to undertake a data-driven audit of our students ’ flourishing , with a particular focus on research-based activities proven to enhance flourishing .
As part of this process , 13 students signed up to work alongside staff as research fellows in the 2020-21 academic year . Three of the Upper Sixth explain what flourishing means to them , the research process , and some of the research findings that began to emerge .
Jon Lidiard Deputy Head Pastoral
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FLOURISH ?
How can I truly make myself happy ? This is a question I have asked myself before , as many have , when I felt that times were tough . So I am fortunate to have been able to take part in the flourishing project with researchers from Harvard University . This incredible opportunity came at a time when I felt that I was at a loss for how to improve my wellbeing . I was introduced to the concept of flourishing , defined by Tyler VanderWeele as feeling a contentment : of happiness and life satisfaction , meaning and purpose , mental and physical health , character and virtue , and positive social relationships .
To flourish is not about the temporary pleasure that we label happiness , but about feeling fulfilled in all the different aspects of your life . Working with Harvard researchers on this project has encouraged me to reflect on what this means in practice . I would suggest to anyone who wishes to be happier ( which I think is everyone !) to take some time to reflect on what it might mean to do so . When you approach your life with an outlook of flourishing , thinking beyond momentary pleasure to your longer-term happiness and contentment , it might make a real difference .
Jen Thomas , Upper Sixth
THE ROLE OF THE STUDENT RESEARCH FELLOW
For many of us the flourishing project was the first real research we had participated in . The online sessions taught us valuable skills for designing surveys , filtering data , analysing it and drawing conclusions .
One of the hardest parts of dealing with research data is doing so from an unbiased viewpoint . We learned that it is important not to discount data because it does not seem correct or relevant to you . There is a step in the analysis process where data presenting similar ideas will be given ‘ codes ’. Labelling recurring views like this allows the data to be cut down . However , it is easy to rephrase data subconsciously to fit what the person processing it believes , or to oversimplify . Overcoming this challenge is key .
It was also interesting seeing how contradictory data can be , and also how differently people can view the same things : we would often find ourselves presenting information claiming the complete opposite to what the previous person had found ! We realised the importance of looking across the whole dataset .
Eloise Simpson , Upper Sixth
120 WELLBEING