Research, Nature, and Nordic Innovation: GoGreen Next at CEP IX

The GoGreen Next early career researchers visited Lillehammer in Norway for the IX Conference of Environmental Psychology at the University of Inland Norway at the end of November. Our researchers comprising of Ana Rodriguez, Erin Ruddy, Sara Lynch, Mateo Simonetto, and Liam Donoghue, PhD researchers Eamon Callan and Ada Nicke, post-doctoral researcher Alan Scarry and Tadhg MacIntyre. 

An in-person site visit to the University’s Virtual Reality Lab at the Elverum Campus was a highlight. There they met with Dr Sigbjorn Litleskare and Fred Frolick and explored the new virtual reality tools they were developing in the University. We got to try their new VR system which uses a self-controlled treadmill. It was an incredible experience for all of the team to test the technology that will be used in the pilot sites of the project. After this, we got the chance to explore the University’s handball arena. We got the chance to play some games and throw the ball around for some time which was a brilliant way to end the day in Elverum.

GoGreen Next Intern Erin Ruddy using the new VR equipment at the INN Campus in Elverum

The conference held at the Lillehammer campus showcased cutting-edge European research within the field including topics such as sustainable behaviour change, active hope in climate change, and sustainable mobility. The university hosts one of Europe’s foremost environmental psychology postgraduate programs led by Prof. Sven-Age Kjos Johnsen. Ada Nick spoke on the topic of “Planetary Health From Concept to Action Multi-scale Approaches to Planetary Health in Europe”. Cassandra Murphy discussed her overall PhD journey on the topic of “Development and Validation of a Nature Relationship Scale”.  While Eamon Callan, Ana Rodriguez, Erin Ruddy, Mateo Simonetto, and Liam Donoghue got the opportunity to share their research at the poster session.

Further hospitality was displayed with an outstanding dinner provided by the University serving vegan lasagna accompanied by a lingon berries dessert. This was coupled with several musical performances initiated by the University choir and followed by a pianist’s solo performances, displaying exceptional skill by all involved. The social programme gave an opportunity for knowledge-exchange between our student researchers and their international peers. The capstone was a visit to the Toppen Skybar where the 13th floor of a converted grain barn offered us a panoramic view of  Lillehammer at night. 

The GoGreen Next team (Back Row L-R: Prof David Sheffield, Liam Donoghue, Eamon Callan, Mateo Simonetto, Ada Nicke; Front Row L-R: Erin Ruddy, Sara Lynch, Cassandra Murphy, Dr Tadhg MacIntyre, Ana Rodriguez)

Overall, the conference was an outstanding opportunity to enhance team cohesion, to meet international experts from the advisory board and beyond, as well as to learn, develop and understand different aspects of environmental psychology. It was also an exceptional opportunity to explore Norway, its culture and meet locals and see how sustainability is embedded in their practices, with over 95% of the cars in Norway being electric. Finally, it was a pleasure to get the chance to understand our own work and other perspectives, and simply enjoy the activities provided by the conference and university. Many thanks to Dr Sigbjorn Litleskare, Fred Frohlich and the team in Elverum for an outstanding showcase of their work. We would also like to thank Prof Svein-Age Kjos and the students of the MSc in Environmental Psychology at INN for their incredible hospitality and for their organisation of such a brilliant conference.