RISE Initiative

Create an interdisciplinary research collaborative that promotes understanding of how to survive and thrive in our social environments, particularly in light of the increasing and diverse stressors that people face. Broadly defined, resilience describes the ability of people, places, and populations to withstand stress and resulting challenges, so they can thrive despite these conditions. The study of resilience provides a positive framework to study individuals and communities, and with it new strategies for individuals, organizations, and institutions to promote the well-being of communities in the face of stressful and challenging conditions.

Our mission is to establish an ASU-wide Initiative that connects interdisciplinary researchers, scholars, students, and community members around three themes grounded in the study of resilience: emotions, social connection, and transitions across the life-span. Our mission is in line with the ASU Charter and the design aspirations of the New American University (i.e., enabling student success, transforming society, being socially embedded, conducting user-inspired research, and engaging globally).

ASU, as an institution, seeks to support innovation and foster interdisciplinary collaborations. In order to understand how the body politic can build systems of resilience, we need to approach the question from a multi-faceted and multi-method perspective by including social, cognitive, physiological, communication, and developmental frameworks.

RISE is built on three key operational principles:

• Create strong research collaborations within and beyond ASU to promote advancement of resilience-focused studies and grant proposals.
   
• Provide opportunities for students (undergraduate and graduate) to gain hands-on research and internship experiences.
   
• Be a catalyst for change by including the broader community in our mission to advance scientific knowledge that fosters resilience at micro- and macro-levels through speakers’ series, internships, and research partnerships.