Reflecting on 10 years of insight, collaboration, global impact and what’s in store for the future
Ten years ago, the Atlas of Emotions was introduced to the world. Created through a unique collaboration between Dr. Paul Ekman, Dr. Eve Ekman, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Atlas set out to map the landscape of human emotion in a way that was both scientifically grounded and deeply accessible.
A decade later, this emotional awareness framework and its impact continues to ripple across classrooms, therapy offices, research labs, and everyday conversations around the world.
A Rare Look Back: Behind the Scenes
To mark this anniversary, we’re sharing something special: never-before-seen footage from a working meeting between Paul and Eve Ekman and the Dalai Lama as they reviewed the Atlas in progress.
At the outset of this project, Dr. Ekman sought to map the landscape of human emotion by first identifying where the scientific community found common ground. This footage captures the essential spirit of that inquiry: an interdisciplinary approach that bridged rigorous psychological research, graphic design, and the Dalai Lama’s contemplative insights. This work was built on a foundation of consensus, as detailed in Dr. Ekman’s landmark survey of nearly 250 emotion scientists, which revealed agreement on the nature of universal emotions.
From Launch to Legacy
When the Atlas first launched in 2016, it quickly drew global attention, including coverage in outlets like The New York Times, which highlighted its innovative approach to mapping emotions and making complex psychological concepts accessible to the public.
That early recognition helped spark widespread adoption. Over the past decade, the Atlas has been used:
- In Education: Empowering students and teachers to build a shared vocabulary for emotional literacy and resilience.
- In Clinical Settings: Providing therapists and clients with a visual framework to deepen self-awareness and track emotional patterns.
- In Daily Life: Offering a practical toolkit for individuals to pause, identify, and navigate their feelings with greater clarity.
Help Shape What Comes Next
As we celebrate this milestone, we’re also looking forward and we’d love to learn from you.
How have you used the Atlas of Emotions? What has it helped you see, understand, or change?
Share your experience here: Atlas of Emotions Feedback
Your insights will help inform the next chapter of this work.
Looking Ahead: Updates to the Online Atlas and Release of an Atlas of Emotions Book
We’re also excited to share that there will be updates to the online, interactive Atlas of Emotions coming soon and Dr. Eve Ekman is currently developing an Atlas of Emotions book, set to be released in 2027.
This new work will expand on the original Atlas, offering deeper exploration, updated insights, and new ways to engage with the emotional landscape that shapes our lives.
If you’d like to be notified when the book is available, join the announcement list:
