Elizabeth Marcheschi appointed associate professor

Who are you and what do you research?

My research is in the field of environmental psychology, which examines the relationship between people and their environment. In my work, I have focused on the concept of "relationship", an intangible dimension that connects people with place and creates meaning. I have found that meaning can play a crucial role in linking global sustainability goals with people's inner development goals. In my latest projects, I have explored plastic-based changes that promote both health and environmental sustainability in urban landscapes.

What is the most exciting thing in your field of research right now?

People are increasingly disconnected from nature and each other. Human behavior is also the root of most environmental problems. Therefore, we need to understand what opportunities exist to reverse this disconnect. Several social scientists believe that it is due to mechanisms related to the meaning we have attached to the concept of well-being in our everyday lives. It requires a shift from a well-being that is mostly goal-oriented to a well-being based on higher values ​​of personal and environmental growth.

What reactions do you encounter to your research?

Working with what are often defined as soft measures is not always easy. Thanks to the attention that the framework for internal development goals is receiving, new opportunities are being created for the importance of the outdoor environment as more dynamic and progressive opportunities for health and environmental meaning-making. Here there is potential to bridge the global goals for sustainable development with the personal development of individuals.