معرفی
Janet Swim is Professor of Psychology at Penn State University and Associate Director of the Climate Consortium. As a Fellow of the Social Science Research Institute, she leads interdisciplinary research bridging psychology with environmental science to address sustainability challenges through experimental and survey methodologies.
Education:
- Ph.D. in Psychology, University of Minnesota (1988)
Her research investigates psychological drivers of pro-environmental action, focusing on hope, connectedness to nature, and policy attributes. She examines generational climate attitudes (e.g., 'OK Boomer' study), human-animal empathy dynamics, and water-quality policy support through experimental frameworks. Her work emphasizes translating psychological insights into real-world climate solutions via partnerships with natural scientists, educators, and artists.
Publication trends reveal strong interdisciplinary integration, with recent work spanning climate communication (2022-2024), meta-analyses of hope's role in engagement (2023), and foundational studies on nature connectedness (2021). Key journals include Journal of Environmental Psychology and Global and Environmental Change, reflecting consistent contributions to environmental decision science.
Scientific Awards:
- Fellow of the Social Science Research Institute
Dr. Swim secures major funding from NSF and Belmont Forum for international projects on land-use change perception and water-quality policies. She previously led the National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation (NNOCI) evaluating climate communication at zoos/aquariums and co-created Mt. Cuba Center's 'Growing Together' native-plant initiative. Her PAct Lab (Pro-Environmental Action Lab) trains students in sustainability research methodologies.
She directs the Swim Lab conducting field experiments on neighborhood environmental engagement and climate policy support, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams across 12 institutions. Current work focuses on psychological barriers to ecological solutions and cross-cultural responses to land-use policies affecting biodiversity.
