
Dr. G. (Gerdien) de Vries
Dr. G. (Gerdien) de Vries
Profiel
As a climate psychologist, dr. De Vries studies climate-related issues – such as the energy transition and reducing carbon emissions – from a behavioural perspective. “We know that the climate is changing because of human behaviour, so we could also have a positive effect on climate change, through green behaviour, for example. This is not just behaviour by ordinary citizens, but also governmental bodies, politicians, businesses, science and the media. These factors also influence each other: journalists can initiate a social debate, the government can direct behaviour through policy and citizens in turn can influence the political agenda. I find the interaction between all these players fascinating, particularly as this is a topic that affects us all.”
De Vries obtained her PhD at Leiden University as a social psychologist in the field of climate and energy. For her doctoral thesis, she investigated how the framing of climate policy influences support for sustainability measures and green behaviour. “I wanted to translate this knowledge into practical applications, such as in policy. The question always asked of research at TU Delft is: What can we do with it? This approach really appeals to me.”
In Delft, De Vries brings her own specialisation together with other research disciplines such as technology, policy, management and communication in order to bring about the most effective possible transition to a greener world. “Besides a psychological angle, behavioural change also has technological, financial and administrative aspects. If you want to make the energy supply green, it not only has to be technically and financially feasible, you must also have the support of politicians and citizens. If citizens are not enthusiastic about carbon storage or geothermal energy, or if they want a solution that will be very expensive, the chance of success is small. TU Delft has broad expertise in areas such as civil engineering, technology, policy and management and mathematical modelling, to which I am adding psychology.”
Read my story: Breaking habits for a green world
Expertise
Publicaties
-
2022
Application of cumulative prospect theory in understanding energy retrofit decision
A study of homeowners in the Netherlands
Shima Ebrahimigharehbaghi / Queena K. Qian / Gerdien de Vries / Henk J. Visscher -
2022
-
2022
Facilitated Tabletop Games in a Mediated Environment
H.N. aan het Rot / L.J. Kortmann / A. Verbraeck / G. de Vries / M. Kooreman / B.J.E. de Bruin
-
2022
Framing Geothermal Energy in Indonesia: A Media Analysis in A Country with Huge Potential
A. Trisiah / G. de Vries / J.A. de Bruijn
-
2022
From collective to individual decision-making
barriers and opportunities to improve the success rate of the energy retrofits in the Dutch owner-occupied sector
S. Ebrahimigharehbaghi / QK Qian / G. de Vries / H.J. Visscher -
Onderwijs 2022
Onderwijs 2021
Media
-
2022-11-04
Lastig om duurzaam te leven? En waar moet je beginnen? Deze experts helpen je op weg
Verscheen in: Leeuwarder Courant
-
2022-11-01
Wat is de verborgen impact van onze spullen op het klimaat?
Verscheen in: NPO Radio 1 Geld of je Leven
-
2022-11-01
"Gedragsverandering is even belangrijk als geld en techniek"
Verscheen in: EOS Wetenschap
-
2022-10-30
De Grote Duurzaamheidsenquête: hoe denken de Vlamingen over klimaatverandering en duurzaam leven?
Verscheen in: De Zondag
-
2022-10-29
Alarmfase één: ‘Meeste mensen weten dat het niet goed gaat met planeet, maar gedrag blijft achter’
Verscheen in: Algemeen Dagblad
Nevenwerkzaamheden
-
2008-05-01 - 2024-09-01
Informatie en communicatie