Highlights

Why it matters: Youth report widespread climate distress; higher severe‑weather exposure aligns with stronger distress and desire for action. Use this to normalize feelings, add supports, and create constructive action pathways.

Use in programs: Pair discussions about emotions with coping tools and a short local action step; invite cross‑viewpoint dialogue to reduce polarization.

Why It Matters

In an era of rapid automation and shifting skill demands, evidence-based solutions are critical to ensure inclusive economic opportunity.

Alignment

The Institute’s data-centric approach complements The Change Lab’s focus on community-led solutions and systems change.

Role in Ecosystem

Acting as a knowledge hub, BGI translates big data into actionable insights for nonprofits, governments, and industry leaders.

In an era of political polarization and economic precarity, Changing Work offers a hopeful and inclusive vision of what work could be. By listening deeply and amplifying voices often left out of policy debates, they help shape a future of work that centers dignity, equity, and democracy.

At a time when so much feels beyond our control, can we shape our future? A seven-year investigation by the Beacon Project at More in Common shows that Americans of all stripes believe that individuals have the power to transcend negative circumstances, or “personal agency.” But they also think that people should be afforded the opportunity to exercise that agency—not just to better themselves, but also to improve their communities. In other words, with agency comes responsibility. We call this “morally directed agency,” and suggest it may be a key to a shared vision of America’s future. In this webinar, lead author Dr. Daniel Yudkin will offer a tour of a large-scale investigation of Americans' beliefs in personal agency, spanning 60,000 people across four countries.

Our findings explore Americans' attitudes around democracy and its state under the Trump administration. We find that Americans agree upon both the importance of democracy and common principles but diverge as to how the Trump Administration’s actions are affecting our democracy. To read our findings in full, go to Shared Ideals, Divergent Realities.

Webinar: 2025 State of Housing in Harris County and Houston
Tuesday, June 17, 10-11 a.m. | Presenting Sponsor: Wells Fargo 

Explore the latest findings from this year's State of Housing report, which will focus on long-term affordability challenges associated with disaster recovery and resilience. A panel discussion with experts James Elliott (Rice University), Elaine Morales-Díaz (Connective) and Jeremy Porter (First Street) will follow. 

More in Common is a nonprofit organization that publishes research, builds strategies, and works in partnership with leaders and organizations throughout the United States. We help these partners bring Americans together across differences to engage meaningfully in our civil and cultural life. 

In addition to the US, More in Common has teams in France, Germany, Poland, the UK, and most recently Brazil.