Researchers develop ‘Year of Joy’ initiative

Founded in 2021 by Andrew Cannon of the Global Research Business Network and Debby Schlesinger-Hellmann, former executive vice-president of Schlesinger Associates, Finland-headquartered The Art and Science of Joy offers tools including a ‘joy barometer’ to businesses and individuals.

The ‘Year of Joy’ online community will begin on 17 January 2023, with participants invited to receive a ‘joy scorecard’ to evaluate their current state. Those taking part will be given access to stories and tips from 52 experts throughout the year, covering topics including wellbeing and belonging.

The community will focus initially on North America, but participants can join from anywhere in the world.

Andrew Cannon, co-founder of the Art and Science of Joy and project lead on the initiative, said: “The Year of Joy is an opportunity for people who want to say no to fear and yes to joy, to come together and harvest more joy-filled lives for their own benefit and for the benefit of those they love, as well as society and the planet more broadly.”

Debby Schlesinger-Hellman, co-founder of the Art and Science of Joy, added: “The Year of Joy programme is empowering the market research sector to give back to the people who fuel the sector through their participation in research, as to society more broadly, by sharing with people a recipe for living more joy-filled lives.”

Schlesinger Group, Zappi and Innovate MR are among the market research companies partnering with the ‘Year of Joy’ initiative.

Melanie Courtright, chief executive of the Insights Association, also partnering on the initiative, said: “We’re eager for fresh data to inform and inspire discussion and action in this area, which ties to IA’s efforts to track and elevate mental wellness within the insights community. We’re pleased to lend our support to this initiative and proud to see many IA members also involved.”