Academic interests
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Behavioral Decision Making
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Conflict and Negotiation
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Group Dynamics and Collective Behavior
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Behavioral Aspects of Climate Change Mitigation
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Social Norms and Sustainable Consumption Behavior
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Social Dilemmas and Management of Common-Pool Resources
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Collaborative Processes in Environmental Conflict Resolution
Current Projects
My current research projects focus on sustainability and climate change. My colleagues and I are examining the societal transformations required to reach a sustainable net-zero energy transition in Norway. To realize this vision by 2050, decarbonization of the transport sector will be required. One project, EMPOWER, funded by UiO: Energy, has created an interdisciplinary research team to design a long-term strategy toward sustainable electric vehicle (EV) batteries. We use interview and survey methods with producers and consumers to understand the perceived costs and benefits of sustainable EV batteries across their full life-cycle. We also investigate how consumers make decisions about EVs based on these costs and benefits and assess EV owners’ preferences for battery ownership and potential recycling or repurposing of used EV batteries.
I am also working on a second interdisciplinary research project funded by UiO: Energy, Wind for Future (directed by Dr. Beate Seibt), which explores how young people in Norway think about and evaluate various renewable energy technologies, such as onshore wind power. Siting of these wind energy parks in recent years has sparked intense protests in various communities around Norway. This project will investigate the social acceptance of onshore wind energy by engaging high school youth in the co-design of energy systems appropriate to their specific region. A workshop intervention will be developed for students that provides learning activities in energy system literacy, climate justice, and the transition to renewable energy. We then evaluate the effectiveness of this workshop intervention in its effects on the students’ sense of empowerment and attitudes toward the energy transition.
Courses taught
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PSY 4111 Applied Social Psychology
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PSY 4130 Promoting Change Through Social Psychology
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PSY 3091 Bachelor’s Thesis in Social Psychology
Background
Higher Education and Employment History
1981 B.S. Psychology, Tufts University
1984 M.A. Social Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara
1986 Ph.D. Social Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara
Professional Positions:
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1986-1992: Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Texas A & M University
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1992-2018: Associate Professor, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A & M University
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1997-2003: Senior Research Fellow, Environmental Policy Studies, Institute for Science, Technology, and Public Policy, George Bush School of Government & Public Service, Texas A & M University
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2002-2006: Associate Department Head, Department of Psychology, Texas A & M University
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2012-2018: Associate Head of Graduate Studies, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University
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2019-Present: Associate Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University.
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2021: Lecturer in Social Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo
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2022 → Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo