
California-based Coursera, an online education platform, has made Purposeful by Ann Arbor’s Kumanu available to its employees. The mobile app is designed to keep people more connected and focused on what matters most in their lives and at work.
Purposeful is designed to simplify the process of defining one’s purpose in life and connecting that purpose to daily actions. The app was created based on what Kumanu says is a growing body of scientific research that demonstrates the positive impact of purpose on resilience, openness to change, and the ability to achieve growth after difficult times.
“We’re thrilled to work with a company that shares many of our core values,” says Vic Strecher, founder of Kumanu. “Coursera and Kumanu are both committed to developing technology that builds bigger lives, stronger organizations, and healthier communities. Our collaboration aims to help Courserians bring their best selves to work and life each day, so online learners everywhere can be their best in return.”
Recent analysis of Purposeful users, who used the app during the COVID-19 pandemic, say they found positive trends in strength of purpose in life and at work, resilience in the face of adversity, and in daily behaviors.
“Our employees see a clear connection between our work and Coursera’s mission of transforming lives through learning,” says Rich Jacquet, chief people officer at Coursera. “We’re strong believers in the power of purpose. We’re pleased to partner with Kumanu to provide the Purposeful app to all of our employees to help them build a healthier rhythm into their daily routines and boost their well-being.”
The science of purpose is also the focus of a new course on Coursera, Finding Purpose and Meaning in Life, which is offered by Vic Strecher, founder of Kumanu, at the University of Michigan.
Purposeful fuses neuroscience research with behavior design and machine learning. It is designed to create healthier, more purposeful organizations that activate talent and product better results.