Research areas
Behaviour change in hedonic contexts
The Low Harm Hedonism initiative develops and experimentally tests theory-based interventions to trigger pro-environmental behaviour in hedonic contexts without causing additional expenses to businesses and without negatively impacting the consumer experience. Specifically, we investigate the effectiveness of interventions that use increased enjoyment as the tool for behaviour change.
Contact: Sara Dolnicar
Learn more about our previous research and proven intervention strategies on the industry insights page.
Environmental and economic impact of tourism | Tourism carbon footprinting
This area focuses on the interrelationships of tourism, the wider economy and environmental externality. Specifically, we investigate how tourism economic benefits (jobs and income), resource consumption (water and energy), and environmental pollution (greenhouse gas emissions) are interlinked to inform policy intervention for achieving a better net outcome.
Contact: Ya-Yen Sun
Promoting plant-based food choices in the tourism and hospitality industry
One of the most effective ways for consumers to be more environmentally friendly is to reduce their consumption of animal products. However, consumers enjoy the taste of meat and are unwilling to eat a plant-based diet when staying in a hotel or visiting a restaurant. We investigate interventions to promote plant-based food choices in the tourism and hospitality industry.
Contact: David Fechner
Learn more about how carbon emission levels on food menus can affect customer behaviour in this video by Sara Dolnicar.
Environmentally extended input-output analysis
To assist in emissions reduction efforts, we investigate the use of environmentally extended input-output analysis as a viable approach for tourism businesses to estimate the carbon emissions caused by their activities and suppliers.
Contact: Csilla Demeter
Learn more about "Environmentally extended input-output analysis" in this CAUTHE conference video by Csilla Demeter.
Psychological mechanisms of behaviour change
Habit as a psychological driver is a significant barrier to behaviour change and a perpetuating factor of existing behaviour. We investigate the role of habit in tourist behaviour, to increase sustainable behaviours and reduce those which are unsustainable.
Contact: Sarah MacInnes
Learn more about "The role of habit in tourist behaviour" in this CAUTHE conference video by Sarah McInnes.
The role of culture in inducing pro-environmental behaviour
Culture has a significant influence on people’s behaviour in a hedonic environment. We investigate how people from different cultural backgrounds frame their goals during their holidays and design culture-specific interventions to induce pro-environmental behaviour.
Contact: Oscar Yuheng Zhu
Learn more about the effect of context and culture on plate waste in this video by Sara Dolnicar.
The (lack of) uptake of initiatives which reduce environmental harm and save cost in hotels
Researchers have identified several interventions which reduce the environmental footprint and operating cost of hotels. Despite the proven ability of these strategies to create environmental and economic benefits a limited number of hotel managers implement these interventions. We investigate barriers to the adoption of interventions by business leaders.
Contact: Sara Dolnicar
Leveraging disruption for more environmentally sustainable tourism
Disruption to the tourism industry can be caused by natural disasters (e.g., COVID-19) or by human intervention. We investigate how we could leverage these events to disrupt people’s normal travel habits and create a more environmentally sustainable tourism industry.
Contact: Oscar Yuheng Zhu
Learn more about this research area in this video by Oscar Zhu.
If you are interested in collaborating with the Low Harm Hedonism initiative or are considering a PhD in one of our research areas, then please contact us.