Teaching

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• From winter semester 2026, we will start a new cohort
• Approximately 15 free spots
• Supervised by Sabine Pahl and Nina Vaupotič
• Format: Individual or in teams (e.g., developing an idea together, collaboration in data collection; *always* written and submitted individually)
• Seminar: Combination of basic input from lecturers about the structure of your thesis, in-class development of ideas, individual meetings (30-minute slots), student presentations in class
• Topic of the thesis: Environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and plastic pollution are difficult to address. They are complex and abstract, often trigger anxiety or anger, involve multiple causes and solutions, and are shaped by many different actors. These challenges are also characterized by conflicting information and misinformation, systemic interdependencies, uncertainty, and impacts that may feel distant in time and space. Issues of fairness, responsibility, causes, and consequences are often central. 

First topic area: What are the psychological processes that enable people to navigate complexity and uncertainty, and take constructive action?

This idea can be investigated by analyzing a secondary dataset (N = 5201 individuals from Belgium, Bulgaria, Netherlands, Greece, Ireland) from the SOS-ZEROPOL project to investigate topics such as systems thinking, techno-optimism, trust in regulators and labels, and support for environmental policies in the context of pollution (several constructs and items that can potentially be explored). Alternatively, students may conduct an original empirical study examining psychological barriers and facilitators of engagement with complex environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

Possible research questions include:

How techno-optimistic are people, and what shapes their techno-optimism? For example, is it influenced by media, scientists, politicians, or other people?
Does perceived uncertainty or complexity lead to lower self-efficacy or to a search for simple solutions?
Who is better equipped to deal with complexity, and why?
What is the role of systems thinking, tolerance of ambiguity, and resilience?
Who is especially vulnerable when dealing with complexity and uncertainty?
Can systems thinking be experimentally increased? If so, does it help or hinder efficacy and adaptive behaviour?
Which communication contents and sources can increase support for environmental policies?

Second topic area: What are the social psychological processes that help or hinder proenvironmental behaviour?

These questions can be investigated through experimental designs or cross-sectional surveys. We are particularly interested in encouraging more experimental work, for example by comparing different conditions in a random allocation design and potentially examining additional moderators. For example, an experimental manipulation could induce loneliness versus social connectedness and compare the effects on environmental behaviour.

Possible research questions include:

Is loneliness vs. social connectedness linked to environmental outcomes?
Does disclosing environmental concerns and emotions engender action?
How can we encourage more constructive climate conversations / counter misinformation?
When are sustainable lifestyles socially approved / disapproved, “cool/uncool”?
How are different types of trait/state well-being linked to environmental outcomes?
What is the role of self-determination in motivating environmental action?
Does perceived unfairness / inequality motivate environmental action?
What is the role of political orientation, e.g. for perceived loss of freedom linked to env measures?
Fast growing digital technology (e.g., AI) as an environmental challenge.

• If you have a very concrete idea for a study outside of these topics, possibly related to an internship, the work in the Environmental Psychology Group, a seminar or your own professional links, feel free to approach us.
• To apply, please send an overview of your grades as well as (a) short research idea(s) (maximum 1 page) to env.psychology@univie.ac.at
• Deadline: 15.7.2026