Anna Conniff
Anna Conniff is an environmental psychologist with a first degree in psychology (from St Andrews University) and an MSc and PhD in human-computer interaction (from University College London) working at the Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences group (SEGS). Prior to joining the James Hutton Institute in January 2012, Anna was a research fellow at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, mainly researching the ways in which people perceive and respond to different methods of representing urban environments. Having worked as a psychologist within computer science and architecture departments, she is very comfortable with, and a proponent of, interdisciplinary research.
Current research interests
Anna is interested in utilising technology to (a) better understand the subjective and objective reactions people have to the environments they are presented with or find themselves in and (b) to convey most effectively what a future environment or landscape will really look and feel like.
Current research interests are focused on the application of psychophysiological methods (e.g. eye tracking, skin conductance, heart rate variability) to researching concepts of restoration and wellbeing that can be delivered by nature within both rural and urban environments. She is also interested in investigating the effects of sound and soundscape perception within traditional landscape perception studies. Anna believes that these more holistic approaches to understanding the relationship between people and their environments can help better inform stakeholders and policy makers about what particular elements of the environment affect people in positive and negative fashions.
On-going and recent projects
RESAS-funded research programme 2011-2016:
- Theme 8: Understanding the linkages and interdependencies between rural and urban areas WP 8.3.3 Understanding how urban and rural greenspace shapes well-being
- Theme 1: Ecosystem Services WP 1.1 Assessment of Scotland’s Ecosystems Services
- Theme 2: Water and Renewable Energy WP 2.4 Methods for mitigating and adapting to flood risk
- Theme 3: Land Use WP 3.6 Understanding land managers’ attitudes and behaviour towards the management of environmental assets and responding to climate change
Bibliography
- MacLean, L.; Marshall, A.; Somervail, P.; Conniff, A.; Irvine, K. (2023) Children and young people’s engagement with nature: A narrative review, Interim report.
- Colley, K.; Brown, C.; Nicholson, H.; Conniff, A.; Hinder, B. (2022) Encouraging sustainable travel behaviour in children, young people and their families, ClimateXChange.
- Conniff, A.; Irvine, K.N. (2022) Intergrating Social Science Methods for Mapping Cultural Ecosystem Services. RESAS 1.4.1bvi Cultural Ecosystem Services indicators and Mapping – Final Report, RESAS 1.4.1bvi Cultural Ecosystem Services indicators and Mapping – Final Report
- Brown, K.M.; Juarez Bourke , A.; Herrett, S.; Conniff, A.; Marshall, K. (2022) UnderStories Storying woodland use, management and expansion in the Cairngorms National Park, Final Report, SRP Theme 1, Deliverable WP4-yr6-new22: Final Report, March 2022, The James Hutton Institute
- Duckett, D.; Lorenzo-Arribas, A.; Horgan, G.; Conniff, A. (2021) Amplification without the event the rise of the reducetarian, Oral presentation to the Society for Risk Analysis 2021 ANNUAL MEETING,Session: M8 - Advancing Risk Science, Theme: Foundational Issues in Risk Analysis -Virtual Room.
- Duckett, D.; Lorenzo-Arribas, A.; Horgan, G.; Conniff, A. (2020) Amplification without the event: the rise of the flexitarian, Journal of Risk Research, 24(9), 1049-1071
- Irvine, K.N.; Conniff, A.; Fisher, D.; Aalders, I.; Schurch, N.; Warber, S.L. (2020) Cultural ecosystem services in Scotland: exploring landscape and spiritual wellbeing., Running out of time: Setting the pace for future generations. 26th International Association of People-Environment Studies Conference. Quebec City, Canada (virtual due to COVID-19 pandemic). 21-26 June 2020.
- Conniff, A.; Fisher, D.; Herrett, S.; Irvine, K.N. (2019) Favourite places in and around Girvan, Scotland., Report from a Public Mapping Activity: Favourite Places In and Around Girvan, Scotland. Girvan, Scotland, 25-26 October 2019.
- Irvine, K.N.; Conniff, A.; Aalders, I.H. (2018) Touch table mapping and photo activities: Methods for capturing cultural ecosystem services., RESAS RD1.4.1bvi Cultural Ecosystem Services Indicators and Mapping, Deliverable D4 Working Paper, 31 March 2018, 16pp.
- Conniff, A.; Colley, K.; Irvine, K.N. (2017) Exploring landscape engagement through a participatory touch table approach., Social Sciences, 6, Article No. 118.
- Irvine, K.I.; Conniff, A.; Aalders, I.H. (2017) Report of the stakeholder meeting August 2016 (KE1)., Internal Report for RESAS 1.4.1bvi.
- Irvine, K.I.; Conniff, A.; Aalders, I.H. (2017) Social science methods for investigation of spiritual and emblematic cultural ecosystem services., RESAS RD1.4.1bvi Deliverable D2: Social Science Methods Internal Report.
- Conniff, A.; Craig, T. (2016) A methodological approach to understanding the wellbeing and restorative benefits associated with greenspace., Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 19, 103-109.
- Conniff, A.; Irvine, K.N. (2016) Communicating climate change with visualisation tools: a guide., ClimateXChange Report, May 2016
- Waldron, S.; Yeluripati, J.B.; Saunders, M.; Conniff, A.; Chapman, S.J.; Miller, D.G.; Matthews, R.B.; Smith, J.; Govan, S. (2015) The peatland carbon calculator - its use and future potential., CXC Final Report, 14 December 2015, 92pp.
- Waldron, S.; Yeluripati, J.B.; Saunders, M.; Conniff, A.; Chapman, S.J.; Miller, D.; Matthews, R.B.; Smith, J.; Govan, S. (2015) Use of and priorities for extending the Peatland Carbon Calculator., Draft Report to CxC.
- Salman, H.S.; Laing, R.; Conniff, A. (2014) The impact of computer aided architectural design programs on conceptual design in an educational context., Design Studies, 35, 412-428.
- Helliwell, R.C.; Avery, L.; Conniff, A.; MacNay, D.; Gorman, H. (2013) Reducing pollution from forestry related activities in the Gallloway and Eskdalemuir forests: a review of best management practices to reduce diffuse pollution., CREW Report.
- Craig, T.; Conniff, A.; Galan-Diaz, C. (2012) The influences of actual and perceived familiarity on environmental preferences for the design of a proposed urban square., Urban Studies Research, Article id 767048, 9pp.
- Galan-Diaz, C.; Conniff, A.; Craig, T.; Pearson, D. (2012) The influence of perspective-taking on preference for and emotional responses to office environments., Paper presented at the 22nd Conference of the International Association of People-Environment Studies, Glasgow, 24-29 June 2012.
- Conniff, A.; Craig, T.; Laing, R.; Galan-Diaz, C. (2010) A comparison of active navigation and passive observation of desktop models of future built environments., Design Studies, 31, 419-438.
- Laing, R.; Davies, A.M.; Miller, D.R.; Conniff, A.; Scott, S.; Morrice, J.G. (2009) The application of visual environmental economics in the study of public preference and urban greenspace., Journal of Cleaner Production.292, Article No. 126005.
- Conniff, A.; Craig, T.; Laing, R.; Galan-Diaz, C.R.; Scott, S. (2008) The importance of purpose in evaluating urban designs., Conference of the International Association for People-Environment Studies, "Urban Diversities, Biosphere and Well-Being", Rome, 28 July - 1 August, 2008.
- Craig, T.; Conniff, A.; Galan-Diaz, C. (2008) Exploring the relationship between familiarity, public participation and environmental preferences., Conference of the International Association for People-Environment Studies, "Urban Diversities, Biosphere and Well-Being", Rome, 28 July - 1 August, 2008.
- Duckett, D.; Lorenzo-Arribas, A.; Horgan, G.; Conniff, A. (2020) Amplification without the event: the rise of the flexitarian, Journal of Risk Research, 24(9), 1049-1071
- Conniff, A.; Colley, K.; Irvine, K.N. (2017) Exploring landscape engagement through a participatory touch table approach., Social Sciences, 6, Article No. 118.
- Conniff, A.; Craig, T. (2016) A methodological approach to understanding the wellbeing and restorative benefits associated with greenspace., Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 19, 103-109.
- Salman, H.S.; Laing, R.; Conniff, A. (2014) The impact of computer aided architectural design programs on conceptual design in an educational context., Design Studies, 35, 412-428.
- Craig, T.; Conniff, A.; Galan-Diaz, C. (2012) The influences of actual and perceived familiarity on environmental preferences for the design of a proposed urban square., Urban Studies Research, Article id 767048, 9pp.
- Conniff, A.; Craig, T.; Laing, R.; Galan-Diaz, C. (2010) A comparison of active navigation and passive observation of desktop models of future built environments., Design Studies, 31, 419-438.
- Laing, R.; Davies, A.M.; Miller, D.R.; Conniff, A.; Scott, S.; Morrice, J.G. (2009) The application of visual environmental economics in the study of public preference and urban greenspace., Journal of Cleaner Production.292, Article No. 126005.
- Duckett, D.; Lorenzo-Arribas, A.; Horgan, G.; Conniff, A. (2020) Amplification without the event: the rise of the flexitarian, Journal of Risk Research, 24(9), 1049-1071
- Conniff, A.; Craig, T. (2016) A methodological approach to understanding the wellbeing and restorative benefits associated with greenspace., Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 19, 103-109.
- Craig, T.; Conniff, A.; Galan-Diaz, C. (2012) The influences of actual and perceived familiarity on environmental preferences for the design of a proposed urban square., Urban Studies Research, Article id 767048, 9pp.
- Conniff, A.; Craig, T.; Laing, R.; Galan-Diaz, C. (2010) A comparison of active navigation and passive observation of desktop models of future built environments., Design Studies, 31, 419-438.
- Conniff, A.; Craig, T.; Laing, R.; Scott, S.; Galan-Diaz, C.R. (2007) Informing the practice of planning: researching future environments using desktop computers., In: Environmental Psychology: from research to 'real world' applications (eds. E. Edgerton and O. Romice). Cambridge Scholars Publishing, Newcastle, pp91-108.
- Laing, R.; Conniff, A.; Craig, T.; Galan-Diaz, C.R.; Scott, S. (2007) Design and use of a virtual heritage model to enable a comparison of active navigation of buildings and spaces with passive observation., 17(11): e0275149.
- Galan-Diaz, C.R.; Conniff, A.; Craig, T.; Laing, R.; Scott, S. (2006) Walking participants through a virtual model: How we got there and its implications., Cognitive Processing, 7, (supplement 1), s33-s36.
- MacLean, L.; Marshall, A.; Somervail, P.; Conniff, A.; Irvine, K. (2023) Children and young people’s engagement with nature: A narrative review, Interim report.
- Colley, K.; Brown, C.; Nicholson, H.; Conniff, A.; Hinder, B. (2022) Encouraging sustainable travel behaviour in children, young people and their families, ClimateXChange.
- Conniff, A.; Irvine, K.N. (2022) Intergrating Social Science Methods for Mapping Cultural Ecosystem Services. RESAS 1.4.1bvi Cultural Ecosystem Services indicators and Mapping – Final Report, RESAS 1.4.1bvi Cultural Ecosystem Services indicators and Mapping – Final Report
- Brown, K.M.; Juarez Bourke , A.; Herrett, S.; Conniff, A.; Marshall, K. (2022) UnderStories Storying woodland use, management and expansion in the Cairngorms National Park, Final Report, SRP Theme 1, Deliverable WP4-yr6-new22: Final Report, March 2022, The James Hutton Institute
- Conniff, A.; Fisher, D.; Herrett, S.; Irvine, K.N. (2019) Favourite places in and around Girvan, Scotland., Report from a Public Mapping Activity: Favourite Places In and Around Girvan, Scotland. Girvan, Scotland, 25-26 October 2019.
- Irvine, K.N.; Conniff, A.; Aalders, I.H. (2018) Touch table mapping and photo activities: Methods for capturing cultural ecosystem services., RESAS RD1.4.1bvi Cultural Ecosystem Services Indicators and Mapping, Deliverable D4 Working Paper, 31 March 2018, 16pp.
- Irvine, K.I.; Conniff, A.; Aalders, I.H. (2017) Report of the stakeholder meeting August 2016 (KE1)., Internal Report for RESAS 1.4.1bvi.
- Irvine, K.I.; Conniff, A.; Aalders, I.H. (2017) Social science methods for investigation of spiritual and emblematic cultural ecosystem services., RESAS RD1.4.1bvi Deliverable D2: Social Science Methods Internal Report.
- Conniff, A.; Irvine, K.N. (2016) Communicating climate change with visualisation tools: a guide., ClimateXChange Report, May 2016
- Waldron, S.; Yeluripati, J.B.; Saunders, M.; Conniff, A.; Chapman, S.J.; Miller, D.G.; Matthews, R.B.; Smith, J.; Govan, S. (2015) The peatland carbon calculator - its use and future potential., CXC Final Report, 14 December 2015, 92pp.
- Waldron, S.; Yeluripati, J.B.; Saunders, M.; Conniff, A.; Chapman, S.J.; Miller, D.; Matthews, R.B.; Smith, J.; Govan, S. (2015) Use of and priorities for extending the Peatland Carbon Calculator., Draft Report to CxC.
- Helliwell, R.C.; Avery, L.; Conniff, A.; MacNay, D.; Gorman, H. (2013) Reducing pollution from forestry related activities in the Gallloway and Eskdalemuir forests: a review of best management practices to reduce diffuse pollution., CREW Report.
- Duckett, D.; Lorenzo-Arribas, A.; Horgan, G.; Conniff, A. (2021) Amplification without the event the rise of the reducetarian, Oral presentation to the Society for Risk Analysis 2021 ANNUAL MEETING,Session: M8 - Advancing Risk Science, Theme: Foundational Issues in Risk Analysis -Virtual Room.
- Irvine, K.N.; Conniff, A.; Fisher, D.; Aalders, I.; Schurch, N.; Warber, S.L. (2020) Cultural ecosystem services in Scotland: exploring landscape and spiritual wellbeing., Running out of time: Setting the pace for future generations. 26th International Association of People-Environment Studies Conference. Quebec City, Canada (virtual due to COVID-19 pandemic). 21-26 June 2020.
- Galan-Diaz, C.; Conniff, A.; Craig, T.; Pearson, D. (2012) The influence of perspective-taking on preference for and emotional responses to office environments., Paper presented at the 22nd Conference of the International Association of People-Environment Studies, Glasgow, 24-29 June 2012.
- Conniff, A.; Craig, T.; Laing, R.; Galan-Diaz, C.R.; Scott, S. (2008) The importance of purpose in evaluating urban designs., Conference of the International Association for People-Environment Studies, "Urban Diversities, Biosphere and Well-Being", Rome, 28 July - 1 August, 2008.
- Craig, T.; Conniff, A.; Galan-Diaz, C. (2008) Exploring the relationship between familiarity, public participation and environmental preferences., Conference of the International Association for People-Environment Studies, "Urban Diversities, Biosphere and Well-Being", Rome, 28 July - 1 August, 2008.
- Aalders, I.; Irvine, K.; Conniff, A.; Stanik, N. (2017) Mapping cultural ecosystem services: A review and early results for Scotland., The James Hutton Institute Annual Research Symposium 2017, Bonar Hall, Dundee, 22 November 2017 (Poster).
- Aalders, I.; Irvine, K.; Conniff, A. (2017) Mapping cultural ecosystem services in Scotland: A review of the current situation., Joint BES and BESS Symposium: Advances in Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, Water Institute, Cardiff, 24-26 April 2017 (Poster).
- Craig, T.; Conniff, A.; Dent, I. (2012) Using an eye-tracker to explore energy feedback: methodological reflections from a pilot study., Digital Futures 2012 Conference, Aberdeen, 23-25 October 2012. Abstract.
