Five on Fridays: Maryam Abdullah, Ph.D.

Today’s “5 on Fridays” comes from Maryam Abdullah, Ph.D., the Parenting Program Director at the Greater Good Science Center. We asked Dr. Abdullah the following questions to learn more about her work nurturing peaceful, compassionate, joyful families.

1. Who or what is a source of inspiration for you these days?

I seek and find inspiration in so many places, so it’s hard to choose just one source to share! Lately, I’ve been inspired by a few people who are beloved to me who have been navigating health challenges. Although they each have different journeys, I’ve been grateful to witness the ways they’ve been open to be cared for by others. At the same time, they continue to care for me in their own unique ways. It strikes me as beautifully illustrating that care-receiving and care-giving can happen all at once.

2. What is something in the world that leaves you with a sense of awe or wonder?

Children constantly make me feel a sense of awe and wonder. I recently met up with a friend who had young children. It wasn’t long before her four-year-old, whom I hadn’t met before, took my hand and invited me to play. She immediately knew that we were connected and, of course, we could play together! I was so delighted to be her playmate. That’s the world I hope we can all live in.

3. What is something you wish was researched more deeply in the field of prosocial education?

I geek out on research that is based on an ecological framework of human development championed by the late brilliant scholar Uri Bronfenbrenner. Lately, I’ve been reading the research of Victoria O’Keefe who is an indigenous scholar doing work applying an indigenous ecological model on youth well-being. It highlights how important it is for indigenous people to be able to be in touch with their histories and cultures in their environments. I would love to see more research on how this framework intersects with prosocial education because it emphasizes that education happens interdependently with (not separately from) learning about other aspects of life–including learning through storytelling, public speaking, and singing.

4. What are you currently reading?

I’ve been taking my time to read One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This, by Omar El Akkad. It’s clear to me why it was the Winner of the National Book Awards 2025 for Nonfiction. I highly recommend it.

5. What is a piece of advice or wisdom that you carry with you? Who gave it to you, and in what context?

On Monday, I was at a library event with my son featuring the amazing author Jason Reynolds who shared, “I lay the bricks of my own hope daily.” I wrote it in my notebook and have been carrying it with me all week. It’s an insight I’ll continue to remind myself of for a long time. I’m grateful my son heard it, too.