Summary
Under NIHR Oxford Health BRC funding, the Flourishing & Wellbeing Theme established a novel interdisciplinary research programme advancing understanding of how human–nature interactions support mental health and the flourishing of both people and the natural environment ([pre-print Moore et al. 2026; https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/5gphe ]
Anchored by the Ecological-Collective-Flourishing (E-Co-Flourishing) framework and a systematic umbrella review synthesising cross-domain mechanisms underpinning human–nature–health relationships ([Maloney et al. 2026a,b a=accepted (umbrella review); b=under review (framework) https://osf.io/6qb5m/overview]), this programme laid foundational evidence for nature-based mental health interventions and policy innovation.
Combining participatory, experimental, and population-level approaches, the programme places young people at its centre. Working closely with the NeurOx Young People’s Advisory Group, young people act as epistemic partners in co-designing research and interventions (Singh et al. 2025).
Supporting our research the Ecological Collective Flourishing Operational Research Toolkit (ECOFLORET) offers a co-designed integration-science toolkit grounded in non-reductive, cross-cultural perspectives (Zhu et al.) Combining analogue and digital mixed methods, ECOFLORET investigates the qualities and ‘doses’ of nature that benefit different individuals while assessing ecological wellbeing. Its mobile, modular design enables use in diverse living-lab contexts including schools, hospitals, community and therapeutic settings.
The programme spans quantitative, qualitative, observational, and participatory studies across school, clinical, and community settings, including young people’s nature-based programmes (https://osf.io/p5mfn/), therapeutic horticulture in secure psychiatric care (Wilhelm et al. 2026), population modelling of nature exposure and wellbeing, green social prescribing, urban green infrastructure, and cross-cultural perspectives on values and wellbeing including research in Ghana. It also contributes to developing policy frameworks for embedding nature-based approaches in education and health systems. (Chapman 2025), (Lyreskog et al. 2025)
As we transition beyond BRC funding, the programme continues to evolve towards scalable, systems-level interventions and policy-relevant evidence supporting equitable, sustainable flourishing for humans and nature alike.
To continue following our exciting work, head to our new Research Platform, Oxford Human-Nature Health.
