Advancing the science and practice of forgiveness
Forgiveness has the power to support healing, strengthen relationships and contribute to more peaceful, compassionate communities. Yet many people and organisations lack access to reliable research and practical guidance about what forgiveness is, how it develops, and how it can be supported responsibly.
Champions of Forgiveness is a global project, funded by the TWCF, bringing together researchers, practitioners, educators, policymakers and community leaders to advance understanding and practice of forgiveness.
By connecting knowledge with action, the project will help make forgiveness research more accessible, relevant and useful in everyday life – from classrooms and clinics to faith communities, justice systems and peacebuilding initiatives.
Why forgiveness matters
Forgiveness is more than simply moving on or forgetting what happened. It is a complex, deeply human process that can involve understanding, honest reflection, compassion, responsibility and, where appropriate, the repair of relationships.
Research suggests that forgiveness can contribute to:
- improved mental and physical wellbeing;
- healthier relationships and relational repair;
- more constructive responses to conflict;
- educational and personal development;
- stronger communities and social cohesion; and
- peacebuilding, reconciliation and restorative justice.
The project will also explore and champion forgiveness as a character virtue. It will take seriously the cultural, religious and personal differences that shape how forgiveness is understood and practised.
A global community of research and practice
At the heart of the project is the Global Forgiveness Network: an international community connecting people who research forgiveness with those who put forgiveness into practice.
The Network will create opportunities to:
- share research, experience and resources across disciplines and regions;
- develop collaborations, publications and new research initiatives;
- translate evidence into practical tools and programmes;
- support culturally responsive approaches to forgiveness;
- connect forgiveness with related fields such as character education, wellbeing, mental health, restorative justice and peacebuilding; and
- ensure that diverse voices and lived experiences shape the future of forgiveness research and practice.
The network will be made up of champions of forgiveness who are committed to advancing the understanding and practice of forgiveness in their professional and public lives.
Champions may work in psychology, education, healthcare, theology, community development, criminal justice, peacebuilding, public policy or other fields. What unites them is a shared commitment to strengthening the evidence base for forgiveness and helping people and communities use that knowledge well.
Champions will take part in regular online gatherings, research spotlights, knowledge-sharing activities and collaborative opportunities. They will also act as ambassadors, sharing relevant research, resources and opportunities through their own professional and community networks.
Over time, the community will grow into a sustainable international network of learning, collaboration and action.
From research to real-world practice
Champions of Forgiveness will support the development of accessible, evidence-informed resources for professionals and organisations. These resources will include:
- plain-language summaries of forgiveness research;
- practical guidance for applying evidence in different settings;
- adaptable tools, templates and planning resources;
- case studies from diverse communities and professional contexts;
- guidance on equity, culture and responsible implementation; and
- approaches to evaluating and improving forgiveness-focused work.
The project will support learning through webinars, workshops, research roundtables and public-facing events. Activities will be designed to encourage dialogue between researchers, practitioners and the people whose lives are affected by forgiveness initiatives.
Discover Forgiveness
The project will help manage and develop Discover Forgiveness as a leading international resource for forgiveness research, practice and public engagement.
The website brings together:
- reliable, accessible information about forgiveness;
- current research and expert perspectives;
- practical resources for educators, clinicians, faith leaders and community organisations;
- stories and testimonies that bring the human experience of forgiveness to life; and
- multimedia content, including videos, podcasts and visual resources.
To support global access, the project will work towards making resources available in multiple languages, including Spanish, French, Mandarin and Arabic. Content will be developed with international partners to ensure that it is relevant to different cultural and professional contexts.
Working internationally
Champions of Forgiveness is being developed through collaboration across countries, disciplines and sectors. The project will work closely with the Greater Good Science Center and its forgiveness initiative, as well as partners within the Global Character Alliance and related international networks.
This collaboration will combine rigorous research with practical experience. It will support the exchange of ideas, strengthen professional learning and help ensure that forgiveness resources respond to the real challenges faced by educators, mental health professionals, faith leaders, policymakers and community practitioners.
The project will also connect forgiveness with wider international work in:
- character and moral education;
- mental health and wellbeing;
- restorative and transformative justice;
- peacebuilding and reconciliation;
- social and emotional learning; and
- faith-based and community development.
The project will support interdisciplinary dialogue through international webinars, conferences and a planned in-person convening of forgiveness scholars and practitioners in the United States in 2027.
These activities will help identify new research priorities, develop partnerships and ensure that forgiveness is recognised as an important area of scholarship and practice across the world.
Get involved
Researchers, practitioners, educators, policymakers, faith leaders and community organisations are invited to connect with the project and explore opportunities to contribute.
You can support Champions of Forgiveness by:
- sharing relevant research, resources or practice examples;
- joining the Global Forgiveness Network;
- participating in webinars, workshops and convenings;
- collaborating on research, publications or professional resources; or
- sharing Discover Forgiveness content with your networks.
For further information and to join the network please click below or email r.c.bartram@bham.ac.uk.
