Biography
Kathryn joined The James Hutton Institute in 2013. Prior to this she worked as a Research Officer in the Scottish Government.
Kathryn holds a PhD in Urban Studies and an MSc in Urban and Regional Planning (both from Heriot-Watt University) and a BSc in Ecological Sciences (from Edinburgh University).
Research
My research focuses on understanding behaviour and facilitating behaviour change in relation to environmentally sustainable behaviours (in the areas of consumption, waste, travel, energy use) and engagement with the natural environment.
I am particularly interested in:
- Social and environmental factors shaping sustainable behaviours from a systems perspective
- Equity considerations in policies and initiatives to promote sustainable lifestyles particularly with respect to gender and intersectionality.
- Life course perspectives on behaviour change
I use quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods approaches. Most of my work is interdisciplinary and/or transdisciplinary in nature.
I currently lead workpackages in the following projects:
Past research
Since joining Hutton I have worked on a number of projects funded through the Scottish Government’s RESAS Strategic Research Programmes (SRP) (2011-2016; 2016-2022; 2022-27). Previous SRP projects have focused on topics including equity in access to nature and interventions to engage people with the natural environment, and household energy use.
Past projects have also included EU-funded projects centring around pro-environmental behaviour and adoption of low carbon technologies – SMARTEES (Social Innovation Modelling Approaches to Realizing Transition to Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, 2018-21), GLAMURS (Green Lifestyles, Alternative Models and Upscaling Regional Sustainability, 2014-2016) and LOCAW (Low Carbon at Work, 2011-2013).
I have also led or been involved in a range of other short and long-term projects funded by The Scottish Government, ClimateXChange, NERC, National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the Macaulay Development Trust. Topics have included uptake of reusable nappies, children and young people’s travel and use of greenspace, household recycling, global environmental impacts of domestic consumption, visions of low carbon lifestyles, home energy efficiency measures, and environmental impacts on mental health.
