Understanding the role of human behaviour in environmental attitudes, practices and advocacy, climate action, political decision-making, use of digital technologies for sustainability, and enabling just transitions to net zero is central to our research agenda. CENTRE-UB is joined in these endeavours by several other major investments at the University of Birmingham allowing for exciting multidisciplinary projects for CENTRE-UB students and fellows designed to address our changing climate and sustainability. These include the Birmingham Institute for Sustainability and Climate Action (BISCA), the Birmingham Energy Institute, the Birmingham Institute for Forest Research (BiFOR), the Plastics Network and the Centre for Environmental Research and Justice. Research interventions informed by behavioural approaches range from environmental science data collection (e.g., citizen science) to changing the organisational cultures of environmental policy making. We have further expertise in understanding youth behaviours, attitudes and relationships with urban nature, environmental knowledges, climate resilience and planning for behavioural shifts in transport and energy infrastructures, and the role of consumer behaviour in reducing the environmental impacts of plastics. Our experts have explored the societal value of environmental impacts like air pollution, and we also have expertise in interdisciplinary research on the impact of climate change on human interactions with woodlands, such as how individuals and groups engage with community forests, the behavioural, cultural and economic assumptions of environmental law in relation to indigenous rights, and imagining future treescapes.
With Transport for the West Midlands and the Office for National Statistics, our current studentships focus on 1) multi-modal travel in shared spaces and how to improve cooperation, safety and traveller confidence, and 2) optimising statistical measures on climate change and health for public understanding.
