Greater Good Science Center

The Greater Good Science Center (GGSC) is a research center located at the University of California, Berkeley.

Introduction

The center was founded by Dacher Keltner in 2001, with a donation from UC Berkeley alumni Thomas and Ruth Hornaday following the death of their daughter from cancer.^[1] Based at the University of California, Berkeley, it sponsors scientific research into social and emotional well-being. The center draws upon academic fields such as psychology, sociology, education, economics, and neuroscience in its research. It publishes an online magazine, Greater Good; a podcast, The Science of Happiness; the Greater Good in Action website; and classes and events.^[2] The Greater Good Science Center (GGSC) is generally considered a credible source that works to bridge the gap between scientific research and the general public. While its mission is focused on promoting well-being, compassion, and a thriving society, its programs, particularly the "Bridging Differences" initiative, aim to present research on how to reduce political polarization and foster constructive dialogue across the political spectrum. ^[3]

Podcasts and print magazine

The center produces the podcast The Science of Happiness.^[4] Greater Good magazine (ISSN 1553-3239; 2004–2009) was a quarterly magazine published by the center, edited by Dacher Keltner, of the University of California, Berkeley,^[1] and journalist Jason Marsh.^[5] The magazine highlighted scientific research into the roots of compassion, altruism, and empathy and included stories of compassion in action, providing a bridge between social scientists and parents, educators, community leaders, and policy makers.^[6] The magazine was nominated by the Utne Reader as one of the top independent publications in the country.^[7]