The Happiness PhD Project
There’s no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. — Thích Nhất Hạnh
Just as the purpose of the field of engineering is to improve the quality of engineering in our world, the purpose of the study of environmentalism is to protect our environment, and the purpose of the education field is to improve education - so is the purpose of a happiness studies field to enhance levels of happiness. — Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar
I’m trying to create a happiness movement of a nation of happiness professors… Understand it, practice it, share it — that’s the secret [to happiness]. — Dr. Arthur Brooks
The Happiness PhD Project is an independent learning and research initiative. Our mission is to collect and share practical insights from the art and science of happiness studies to improve happiness for one and for all.
My name's Jackson Kerchis and I founded the Happiness PhD Project.
I'm a former startup executive, management consultant, and Zen monk. I created the world's first bachelor's degree in Happiness Studies and taught the first happiness course at the University of Alabama. My life’s work is to study and practice happiness.
There was a famous Sociologist named Niklas Luhmann who, after years of independent study was awarded a professorship. They asked him to name his project and he said — “My project was entitled, at that time and since: Theory of Society; term: 30 years; costs: none.”
I’d say the same for my work — Theory of Happiness; duration - lifetime; costs - none.
I’m organizing this knowledge into resources and tools…
StudyHappiness.blog (which you’re reading now)
A Happiness Encyclopedia of insights and research: StudyHappiness.notion.site
A practical textbook on happiness inspired by Josh Kaufman’s The Personal MBA.
Learn more about my work on happiness & high performance with individuals, businesses, and military.
I consider my work applied happiness research. I am not as concerned with philosophy or publishing in academia. I am concerned with:
How do you become happier?
How do businesses and organizations support happiness?
How do we create a happier world?
I address these questions through research and study from neuroscience, psychology, economics, contemplative/religious traditions, philosophy, and life experience.
When you’re ready to explore, I suggest a favorite essay — The Path of Unconditional Happiness and this introduction to The Learned Happiness Model (LHM).
The Happiness PhD Project is a social enterprise - please consider a monthly or annual donation subscription to support my work. My goal is to become self-funded at $4,500 per month so I can dedicate myself full-time to research and education.
