Kathryn Colley
Kathryn is an environmental psychologist in the Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences department. Her work focuses on person-environment interactions and their role in shaping individual behaviour and wellbeing.
Kathryn joined The James Hutton Institute in 2013. Prior to this she worked as a Research Officer in the Scottish Government’s Rural & Environment Science and Analytical Services (RESAS) Division focusing on social research in a range of environmental policy areas including low carbon behaviours, greenspace and health, waste, biodiversity and natural resources. 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).
Current research interests
Kathryn’s current research interests focus around:
- People’s interactions with their everyday home, work and leisure environments, particularly in relation to contact with nature and low carbon lifestyles.
- Life course perspectives on individual behaviour, including the impact of life course transitions on outdoor activity and pro-environmental behaviour.
- Environmental justice in relation to outdoor access inequality and just transitions, with a particular interest in gender and intersectional analyses.
- Attitudes and behaviours around the adoption of low carbon social and technical innovations
Current and recent projects include: SMARTEES (Social Innovation Modelling Approaches to Realizing Transition to Energy Efficiency and Sustainability) EU Horizon 2020; RD 3.4.3 (Landscapes and Wellbeing) and RD 1.3.2 (Cultural Ecosystem Services) in the Scottish Government’s Rural, Agriculture, Food & Environment Strategic Research Programme 2016-22; ‘Creating Natural Connections in Cumbernauld’ (National Lottery Heritage Fund); ‘Pathways to Nature in Childhood’ (Macaulay Development Trust); NERC Valuing Nature Programme review on Environmental Science and Mental Health; Waste Recycling Behaviour evidence review (Scottish Government).
Past research
Previous projects have included EU projects LOCAW (Low Carbon at Work) and GLAMURS (Green Lifestyles, Alternative Models and Upscaling Regional Sustainability); WP 4.2 (Low Carbon Rural Economy) and Theme 8 (Vibrant Rural Communities) of the Scottish Government 2011-16 Strategic Research Programme; various calldown projects under the ClimateXChange Centre of Expertise on Climate Change.
Bibliography
- Colley, K.; Currie, M.; Irvine, K. N.; (2023) Outdoor recreation and the wellbeing of rural residents: Insight from Scotland, In: Johansen, P. H., Tietjen, A., Iversen, E. B., Lolle, H. L., Fisker, J. K. (eds) Rural Quality of Life, Manchester University Press
- Irvine, K.N.; Fisher, D.; Marselle, M.R. ; Currie, M.; Colley, K.; Warber, S.L. (2022) Social Isolation of Older Adults: A Qualitative Study of the Social Dimensions of Group Outdoor Health Walks, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
- Hague, A.; Stevenson, T.; Craig, T.; Colley, K.; Somervail, P. (2022) Acting locally intermediary actors and the transition to a low carbon economy, IAPS conference (International Association for People-Environment Studies), Lisbon/online.
- Currie, M.; Colley, K.; Irvine, K.N. (2021) Outdoor recreation for older adults in Scotland: qualitatively exploring the multiplicity of constraints to participation., International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, Article No. 7705.
- Salt, D.; Polhill, G.; Craig, T.; Wilson, R.; Colley, K.; Pinker, A.; Scalco, A.; Muhammad, M.; (2021) Modelling coconstructed scnearios of district heat network adoption in Aberdeen, Social Simulation Conference 2021, Online, 20-24 September 2021
- Polhill, J.G.; Salt, D.; Craig. T.; Wilson, R.; Colley, K. (2021) Sensitivity analysis of an empirical agent-based model of district heating network adoption., International Work Conference on Artificial Neural Networks, Online, 16-18 June 2021.
- Dumitru, A.; Lema Blanco, I.; Albulescu, P.; Antosz, P.; Bouman, L.; Colley, K.; Craig, T.; Jager, W.; Macsinga, I.; Meskovic, E.; Mischkowski, N.; Pellegrini Masini, G.; Polhill, G.; Quinti, G.; Salt, D.; Somervail, P.; Wilson, R.; (2021) Policy recommendations for each cluster of casestudies Insights from policy scenario workshops, SMARTEES Deliverable 5.2. https://local-social-innovation.eu/fileadmin/user_upload/Deliverables/D5.2_final__1_.pdf
- Polhill, J.G.; Salt, D.; Craig, T.; Wilson, R.; Colley, K. (2021) Sensitivity analysis of an empirical agent-based model of district heating network adoption., Advances in Computational Intelligence. 16th International Work-Conference on Artificial Neural Networks, IWANN 2021, Virtual Event, June 16-18, 2021, Proceedings, Part II. (Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Vol 12862), 118-127.
- Craig, T.; Polhill, J.G.; Colley, K.; Carrus, G.; Maricchiolo, F.; Bonaiuto, M.; Bonnes, M.; Dumitru, A.; Mira, R.G. (2019) Transmission of pro-environmental norms in large organizations., Sustainable Production and Consumption, 19, 25-32.
- Colley, K.; Craig, T. (2019) Natural places: Perceptions of wildness and attachment to local greenspace., Journal of Environmental Psychology, 61, 71-78.
- Colley, K.; Currie, M.; Irvine, K.N. (2019) Then and now: Examining older people’s engagement in outdoor recreation across the life course., Leisure Sciences, 41, 186-202
- Pinker, A.; Colley, K (2019) Co-ordinated, tailored and inclusive energy efficiency schemes for fighting fuel poverty: Aberdeen., SMARTEES Report.
- Waylen, K.A.; Holstead, K.L.; Colley, K.; Hopkins, J. (2018) Challenges to enabling and implementing Natural Flood Management in Scotland., Journal of Flood Risk Management, 11, S1078-S1089.
- Polhill, J.G.; Craig, T.; Colley, K.; Ge, J.; Sat, D. (2018) The SMARTEES Project and The James Hutton Institute’s potential contribution to the Torry Heat Network project., Appendix 10.4 in support of Torry Heat Network, Report to be presented to Aberdeen City Council.
- Irvine, K.N.; Colley, K.; Currie, M. (2018) Capabilities for engagement with landscapes for wellbeing., RESAS RD 3.4.3 Working Paper, 31 March 2018.
- Conniff, A.; Colley, K.; Irvine, K.N. (2017) Exploring landscape engagement through a participatory touch table approach., Social Sciences, 6, Article No. 118.
- Colley, K.; Brown, C.; Montarzino, A. (2017) Understanding knowledge-workers’ interactions with workplace greenspace: open space use and restoration experiences at urban-fringe business sites., Environment and Behavior, 49, 314-338.
- Colley, K.; Brown, C.; Montarzino, A. (2016) Restorative wildscapes at work: an investigation of the wellbeing benefits of greenspace at urban fringe business sites using "go-along' interviews., Landscape Research, 41, 598-615.
- Gilbert, A.; Colley, K.; Roberts, D. (2016) Are rural residents happier? A quantitative analysis of subjective wellbeing in Scotland., Journal of Rural Studies, 44, 37-45.
- Waylen, K.A.; Holstead, K.L.; Colley, K. (2016) Conceptualising human-nature relationships: Learning from experiences of 'Natural Flood Management' in Scotland., Presentation within the session 'Hydrosocial or socio-hydro' at the RGS-IBG Annual International Conference 2016, London, 30 August -2 September 2016.
- Colley, K.; Currie, M.; Hopkins, J.; Melo, P. (2016) Access to outdoor recreation by older people in Scotland., Report for Rural Communities Research, Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services (RESAS) Division, The Scottish Government. Social Research Series, 85pp.
- Colley, K.; Currie, M.; Hopkins, J.; Melo, P. (2016) Access to outdoor recreation by older people in Scotland., Project Report to Scottish Government.
- Holstead, K.L.; Colley, K.; Waylen, K.A. (2016) Tackling the barriers to implementing natural flood management: summary report., Summary Report presented at Workshop Meeting, Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation, 11 February 2016.
- Gilchrist, K.; Brown, C.; Montarzino, A. (2015) Workplace settings and wellbeing: Greenspace use and views contribute to employee wellbeing at peri-urban business sites., Landscape and Urban Planning, 138, 32-40.
- Holstead, K.L.; Waylen, K.A.; Colley, K.; Hopkins, J. (2015) Challenges of doing something new: barriers to natural flood management., Presentation at the World Water Conference, Edinburgh, 25-29 May 2015.
- Gilchrist, K.; Brown, C.; Montarzino, A. (2014) Employee wellbeing and green workplace settings., IAPS Conference, Timisoara, Romania, 23-27 June 2014.
- Gilchrist, K.; Irvine, K.N. (2014) Scotland 2030: Picturing life in a low carbon Scotland., ClimateXChange Calldown from Low Carbon Behaviours Policy Team - Narrative for 2030.
- Gilchrist, K.; Craig, T. (2014) Home energy efficiency - a review of evidence of attitudes and behaviours., ClimateXChange website.
- Irvine, K.N.; Fisher, D.; Marselle, M.R. ; Currie, M.; Colley, K.; Warber, S.L. (2022) Social Isolation of Older Adults: A Qualitative Study of the Social Dimensions of Group Outdoor Health Walks, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
- Currie, M.; Colley, K.; Irvine, K.N. (2021) Outdoor recreation for older adults in Scotland: qualitatively exploring the multiplicity of constraints to participation., International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, Article No. 7705.
- Craig, T.; Polhill, J.G.; Colley, K.; Carrus, G.; Maricchiolo, F.; Bonaiuto, M.; Bonnes, M.; Dumitru, A.; Mira, R.G. (2019) Transmission of pro-environmental norms in large organizations., Sustainable Production and Consumption, 19, 25-32.
- Colley, K.; Craig, T. (2019) Natural places: Perceptions of wildness and attachment to local greenspace., Journal of Environmental Psychology, 61, 71-78.
- Colley, K.; Currie, M.; Irvine, K.N. (2019) Then and now: Examining older people’s engagement in outdoor recreation across the life course., Leisure Sciences, 41, 186-202
- Waylen, K.A.; Holstead, K.L.; Colley, K.; Hopkins, J. (2018) Challenges to enabling and implementing Natural Flood Management in Scotland., Journal of Flood Risk Management, 11, S1078-S1089.
- Conniff, A.; Colley, K.; Irvine, K.N. (2017) Exploring landscape engagement through a participatory touch table approach., Social Sciences, 6, Article No. 118.
- Colley, K.; Brown, C.; Montarzino, A. (2017) Understanding knowledge-workers’ interactions with workplace greenspace: open space use and restoration experiences at urban-fringe business sites., Environment and Behavior, 49, 314-338.
- Colley, K.; Brown, C.; Montarzino, A. (2016) Restorative wildscapes at work: an investigation of the wellbeing benefits of greenspace at urban fringe business sites using "go-along' interviews., Landscape Research, 41, 598-615.
- Gilbert, A.; Colley, K.; Roberts, D. (2016) Are rural residents happier? A quantitative analysis of subjective wellbeing in Scotland., Journal of Rural Studies, 44, 37-45.
- Gilchrist, K.; Brown, C.; Montarzino, A. (2015) Workplace settings and wellbeing: Greenspace use and views contribute to employee wellbeing at peri-urban business sites., Landscape and Urban Planning, 138, 32-40.
- Waylen, K.A.; Holstead, K.L.; Colley, K.; Hopkins, J. (2018) Challenges to enabling and implementing Natural Flood Management in Scotland., Journal of Flood Risk Management, 11, S1078-S1089.
- Colley, K.; Brown, C.; Montarzino, A. (2017) Understanding knowledge-workers’ interactions with workplace greenspace: open space use and restoration experiences at urban-fringe business sites., Environment and Behavior, 49, 314-338.
- Colley, K.; Brown, C.; Montarzino, A. (2016) Restorative wildscapes at work: an investigation of the wellbeing benefits of greenspace at urban fringe business sites using "go-along' interviews., Landscape Research, 41, 598-615.
- Gilchrist, K.; Brown, C.; Montarzino, A. (2015) Workplace settings and wellbeing: Greenspace use and views contribute to employee wellbeing at peri-urban business sites., Landscape and Urban Planning, 138, 32-40.
- Irvine, K.N.; Roberts, M.; Eastwood, A.; Colley, K.; Currie, M.; Zhang, Z. (2021) Environmental science and mental health review., Report via Valuing Nature Program.
- Colley, K.; Currie, M.; Irvine, K. N.; (2023) Outdoor recreation and the wellbeing of rural residents: Insight from Scotland, In: Johansen, P. H., Tietjen, A., Iversen, E. B., Lolle, H. L., Fisker, J. K. (eds) Rural Quality of Life, Manchester University Press
- Polhill, J.G.; Salt, D.; Craig, T.; Wilson, R.; Colley, K. (2021) Sensitivity analysis of an empirical agent-based model of district heating network adoption., Advances in Computational Intelligence. 16th International Work-Conference on Artificial Neural Networks, IWANN 2021, Virtual Event, June 16-18, 2021, Proceedings, Part II. (Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Vol 12862), 118-127.
- Dumitru, A.; Lema Blanco, I.; Albulescu, P.; Antosz, P.; Bouman, L.; Colley, K.; Craig, T.; Jager, W.; Macsinga, I.; Meskovic, E.; Mischkowski, N.; Pellegrini Masini, G.; Polhill, G.; Quinti, G.; Salt, D.; Somervail, P.; Wilson, R.; (2021) Policy recommendations for each cluster of casestudies Insights from policy scenario workshops, SMARTEES Deliverable 5.2. https://local-social-innovation.eu/fileadmin/user_upload/Deliverables/D5.2_final__1_.pdf
- Pinker, A.; Colley, K (2019) Co-ordinated, tailored and inclusive energy efficiency schemes for fighting fuel poverty: Aberdeen., SMARTEES Report.
- Polhill, J.G.; Craig, T.; Colley, K.; Ge, J.; Sat, D. (2018) The SMARTEES Project and The James Hutton Institute’s potential contribution to the Torry Heat Network project., Appendix 10.4 in support of Torry Heat Network, Report to be presented to Aberdeen City Council.
- Irvine, K.N.; Colley, K.; Currie, M. (2018) Capabilities for engagement with landscapes for wellbeing., RESAS RD 3.4.3 Working Paper, 31 March 2018.
- Colley, K.; Currie, M.; Hopkins, J.; Melo, P. (2016) Access to outdoor recreation by older people in Scotland., Report for Rural Communities Research, Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services (RESAS) Division, The Scottish Government. Social Research Series, 85pp.
- Colley, K.; Currie, M.; Hopkins, J.; Melo, P. (2016) Access to outdoor recreation by older people in Scotland., Project Report to Scottish Government.
- Holstead, K.L.; Colley, K.; Waylen, K.A. (2016) Tackling the barriers to implementing natural flood management: summary report., Summary Report presented at Workshop Meeting, Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation, 11 February 2016.
- Gilchrist, K.; Irvine, K.N. (2014) Scotland 2030: Picturing life in a low carbon Scotland., ClimateXChange Calldown from Low Carbon Behaviours Policy Team - Narrative for 2030.
- Gilchrist, K.; Craig, T. (2014) Home energy efficiency - a review of evidence of attitudes and behaviours., ClimateXChange website.
- Hague, A.; Stevenson, T.; Craig, T.; Colley, K.; Somervail, P. (2022) Acting locally intermediary actors and the transition to a low carbon economy, IAPS conference (International Association for People-Environment Studies), Lisbon/online.
- Salt, D.; Polhill, G.; Craig, T.; Wilson, R.; Colley, K.; Pinker, A.; Scalco, A.; Muhammad, M.; (2021) Modelling coconstructed scnearios of district heat network adoption in Aberdeen, Social Simulation Conference 2021, Online, 20-24 September 2021
- Polhill, J.G.; Salt, D.; Craig. T.; Wilson, R.; Colley, K. (2021) Sensitivity analysis of an empirical agent-based model of district heating network adoption., International Work Conference on Artificial Neural Networks, Online, 16-18 June 2021.
- Waylen, K.A.; Holstead, K.L.; Colley, K. (2016) Conceptualising human-nature relationships: Learning from experiences of 'Natural Flood Management' in Scotland., Presentation within the session 'Hydrosocial or socio-hydro' at the RGS-IBG Annual International Conference 2016, London, 30 August -2 September 2016.
- Holstead, K.L.; Waylen, K.A.; Colley, K.; Hopkins, J. (2015) Challenges of doing something new: barriers to natural flood management., Presentation at the World Water Conference, Edinburgh, 25-29 May 2015.
- Gilchrist, K.; Brown, C.; Montarzino, A. (2014) Employee wellbeing and green workplace settings., IAPS Conference, Timisoara, Romania, 23-27 June 2014.
