Kaitlin Raimi

Kaitlin Raimi is an Associate Professor of Public Policy at the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and a Faculty Associate at the Research Center for Group Dynamics, Institute for Social Research. Her work bridges social psychology and environmental policy, focusing on how psychological processes influence climate-related behaviors and policy support. She maintains an active research program examining public perceptions of climate technologies and communication strategies.

As a social and environmental psychologist, Raimi's research centers on three interconnected areas: (1) how individuals compare their own environmental beliefs and behaviors to others, (2) how adopting one pro-environmental behavior affects subsequent actions (behavioral spillover), and (3) how climate change communication influences public understanding, behaviors, and support for climate policies and technologies. Her work specifically addresses belief superiority, climate migration perceptions, and public responses to geoengineering and carbon capture technologies.

Raimi's recent publications (2017-2024) demonstrate a consistent focus on climate communication and public perception of emerging climate technologies. Her research often employs experimental methodologies and meta-analytic approaches to understand the psychological mechanisms behind climate attitudes and behaviors. A significant thread throughout her work examines how framing affects public support for climate interventions and whether engagement with one environmental behavior leads to broader sustainable practices.

Through her position at the Ford School of Public Policy and affiliation with the Research Center for Group Dynamics, Raimi contributes to interdisciplinary research on climate change responses. Her work has direct implications for policymakers seeking to design effective climate communication strategies and environmental interventions that account for psychological factors influencing public acceptance and behavioral change.