What is the Heroic Imagination Project?

The Heroic Imagination Project (HIP) was founded by Dr. Philip Zimbardo in 2008. Its core mission is to inspire everyday heroism through education and training. The project emphasizes that heroism starts in the mind, encouraging individuals to view themselves as capable of heroic acts rather than seeing heroism as something reserved for others or fictional characters. HIP promotes the idea that ordinary people can make extraordinary contributions to society through daily acts of goodness and kindness, preparing them to act wisely and effectively during significant crises.

Dr. Zimbardo has designed the project around "hero squads" or small teams, believing that people are most effective when working together to challenge authority and enact change. He has conducted training programs globally, including in Hungary, Poland, Sicily, the Czech Republic, Bali, and Australia, aiming to instill a mindset of heroism in diverse communities 1 2 3.