Cultivating kindness: a relational approach to well-being in agricultural and applied economics

Abstract No corner of society is untouched by the intertwined crises of mental health and social disconnection, and departments of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AAE) are no exception. These challenges cover the lifespan, carry intergenerational consequences, and place mounting strain on the systems tasked with responding to them. As climate, cultural, political, and economic pressures intensify, higher education faces unprecedented stress. Faculty and staff are often overworked, underpaid, and expected to perform at high levels in under-resourced, isolating environments. At times, given the emphasis on competition and hierarchy in academia, departments adopt cultures that prioritize performance at all costs. Such conditions place the body and mind in “survival mode,” undermining health, happiness, and sustainable well-being. Well-being depends not only on the brain and body but also on the quality of social relationships. Thus, it is both individual and relational. AAE departments can intentionally cultivate resilience by reducing stress, strengthening social connection, and fostering supportive cultures. Despite systemic pressures, these capacities are trainable and within departmental control. This editorial introduces the KIND Awareness Model, developed by the author, for enhancing individual and collective well-being. This approach builds on mindful awareness and relational mindfulness, drawing on kindness as an innate capacity that can be intentionally cultivated and amplified through a secular commitment to ethical action. By embedding mindfulness and kindness into departmental culture, AAE communities can foster resilience, offering a practical, evidence-based path to transform the academic environment, creating an opportunity for current and future generations to move out of surviving into thriving.