Growing an Ecosystem of Purpose for the Next Generation

PSiX Director Anthony Burrow describes how the idea of a “purpose institute,” which evolved into Purpose Commons, came to be during Purpose Jam 2025 in Denver, Colo. (Photo credit: Juan Vazquez-Leddon)

Two events this past fall helped shape what’s next for the Purpose Science and Innovation Exchange (PSiX) in the coming year. A retreat with our sister organization, Purpose Commons, and an event called Purpose Jam brought researchers, youth, and community leaders together to ask an essential question: How do we better support young people in cultivating a sense of purpose? What emerged was not just reflection, but momentum and a shared commitment to action.

The work began with a joint retreat between PSiX and Purpose Commons focused on deepening understanding of the connection between youth and purpose. Participants examined what current research reveals about how purpose develops in young people and where important questions remain.

Several powerful insights surfaced. Purpose is not something young people simply discover, but something they cultivate over time. They are active agents in that process. Plus, when adults create space for young people to explore their purpose, they provide the emotional safety necessary for growth. For many youth, being asked about their purpose by adults may be a new and transformative experience.

From these conversations, PSiX and Purpose Commons clarified what the next phase of work would be to help youth cultivate their purpose.

That roadmap was presented at an event called Purpose Jam, hosted by Purpose Commons. Purpose Jam convened youth, researchers, innovators, and leaders from youth-serving organizations and philanthropy who are interested in helping youth cultivate their purpose.

A view of the Purpose Jam event that brought together people interested in helping youth cultivate their purpose. (Photo credit: Juan Vazquez-Leddon)

Purpose Jam describes the event’s design — It was not a traditional academic conference or a symposium. It was a collaborative event where input and insights from attendees helped refine our purpose research by understanding different perspectives, asking questions, having conversations, and addressing blind spots in our efforts.

The first Purpose Jam, held in 2024, was where PSiX Director Anthony Burrow articulated the idea of what he conceived of as a “purpose institute,” a central location where research scientists, youth, youth-serving organizations (YSOs), and communities could come together to share and further purpose knowledge. That initial idea spawned the development of the Purpose Commons as the bridge connecting communities to purpose research conducted through PSiX. Together it is an ecosystem that spurs ideas, research, and practices to help young people cultivate a sense of purpose.

“It took articulating the idea of a shared space for researching and learning about purpose in front of others and inviting them to critique the concept it and refine its possible edges, to really appreciate what it could mean to build it,” Burrow said. “The conversations at the initial Purpose Jam were so instrumental, I left with clear intention to get started working on it with my partners.”

Sarah Espinel, PSiX director of research, previews the National Youth Purpose Survey with attendees at Purpose Jam 2025 in Denver, Colo. (Photo credit: Juan Vazquez-Leddon)

For PSiX, this includes creating the National Youth Purpose Survey, a first-of-its-kind survey that will establish a national baseline of purpose in young people across the country. The survey will offer critical insights into how purpose corresponds with well-being, help identify new thematic research ideas, and inform policies that can support youth thriving. Co-designed with youth, the survey asks questions about young people’s sense of purpose, meaning, and direction in life; the extent to which they feel supported by family, friends, and mentors; and their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. The survey was presented to Purpose Jam attendees by Sarah Espinel, director of research for PSiX.

“We provided a preview of the survey to attendees, and they provided some critical feedback that we were able to incorporate into the final survey,” said Espinel. “The fact that this survey has been co-designed with young people and YSOs every step of the way will undoubtedly strengthen the survey’s impact, which is really exciting.”

The survey was launched in mid-February, with 2,400 youth from across the country participating.

TeRay Esquibel, executive director of Purpose Commons, welcomes attendees to Purpose Jam 2025 in Denver, Colo. (Photo credit: Juan Vazquez-Leddon)

PSiX is also launching a fellows program, designed to generate cutting-edge purpose-focused research that makes a difference in communities. The fellowship is intended to support early career researchers who may not have opportunities at their current institution to co-create research with communities. It will also be open to practitioners who want to learn about research methods.

“The promise of purpose research may only be realized when the insights guiding it reflect the full breadth of perspectives and expertise of those wanting to study it,” said Burrow.  “Therefore, equitable access to research infrastructure is essential for producing the kind of rigorous, inclusive, and community-centered scholarship that stands to make a difference in people’s lives.”

The fellows will receive training, resources and mentoring, beginning with participation in the Cornell Translational Research Summer Institute in June. Through a partnership with the Purpose Commons Design Lab, a cohort of leaders from youth-serving organizations, schools, and community-based organizations, the fellows will learn how to co-design a purpose research project with a community partner.

The fellows will also be able to leverage PSiX resources to communicate the value of their work at conferences and events, and at their home institution.

“This work is possible because of the researchers, young people, and communities who believe that knowledge about purpose should be built together,” said Burrow. “I’m grateful for the space created at Purpose Jam for such building, and the vision of PSiX and Purpose Commons to deeply connect purpose science with lived experience.”