Our Vision
It's time for the science of friendship.
The U.S. is in the midst of a loneliness epidemic. Loneliness shortens our lives, robs us of joy, and wreaks havoc on our brains and bodies.
Friends are an antidote to loneliness. Friends improve our economic mobility, cause our flourishing, and friends can help us lead happier, healthier—and even longer—lives.
But friendship research lags behind work on romantic relationships and other social bonds. No longer.
The UCLA Center for Friendship Research has a multi-pronged mission:
(1) Create + galvanize a multidisciplinary community of friendship researchers
(2) Support cutting-edge friendship research
(3) Facilitate the hands-on training of future faculty elucidating friendship
(4) Communicate our findings broadly to improve friendships around the world
