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Dr. Daniel DeCaro (daniel.decaro@louisville.edu

University of Louisville Departments of Urban & Public Affairs and Psychological & Brain Sciences, Director of Social Decision Making & Sustainability Lab 

 

Russ Barnett (russell.barnett@louisville.edu

Director of Kentucky Institute for the Environment & Sustainable Development 

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Brent Fryrear (bfryrear@louisville.edu

Director of the Partnership for a Green City

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MISSION STATEMENT: 

SUSTAINABLE BEHAVIOR TEAM

Every aspect of sustainability involves human motivation, perception, and decision making. The Sustainable Behavior Team promotes city-wide sustainability by applying principles of human behavior, from psychological science and behavioral economics, to design more effective public policy, educational, and programmatic solutions. 

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The Team supports the Partnership’s broader goals by providing consultation and educational materials, and by creating various initiatives and programs. 

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Do you have a problem or project that involves behavior? Contact us!

Team Co-Chairs:
Partners:

Andrea Webster (Andrea.Webster@louisvilleky.gov

Project Manager, Office of Sustainability, Louisville Metro Government 

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Karen Maynard (Karen.Maynard@louisvilleky.gov

Department of Public Works, Public Education Coordinator 

Louisville Metro Waste Management District

 

Joe Irwin (joseph.irwin@jefferson.kyschools.us

Department of Safety and Environmental Services, Jefferson County Public Schools, Louisville Kentucky

Science-Based Approach

Human behavior is complex, and problems in society are complicated. Our Team makes sense of these challenges by taking a science-based approach. We rely on best science and scientific frameworks to understand complex problems and make reasonable recommendations for solutions. Our work is guided by three major frameworks:

Organizational Change. In the article Malone et al. (2013), sociologist Malone describes several principles of effective organizational leadership and change, which can help leaders design more effective change programs.

 

o Download Article (Malone et al. 2013) 

o Guide

o Download Article (Chase et al. 2002)

Psychologists Moller, Ryan, and Deci (Self-Determination Theory), and interdisciplinary social scientist Procedural Fairness and Autonomy-Support. DeCaro, describe principles for good public engagement and organizational process to increase fairness, motivation, and acceptance/public support. 

 

o Download Article (Moller et al. 2006) 

o Download Article (DeCaro and Stokes 2008)

For best results, we encourage all leaders to adopt these approaches. 

 

Please browse our public library for more resources!

Teaching Integration

One of our goals is to improve public education and encourage students to become involved in hands-on projects that impact the community. Many of our partners are educators and educational organizations, such as the University of Louisville, Jefferson County Public Schools, and Jefferson Community and Technical College. 

 

Having the opportunity to become involved in active community projects, research, and other forms of scholarship gives students vital real-world experience and leadership practice. Student involvement also provides greater capacity to carry out projects. 

 

Please contact us if you would like help connecting students to a project!

Past Projects:

Download Educational Packet to Teach Behavioral Aspects of Sustainability (K-12). (Class Project: DeCaro, University of Louisville, Behavioral Dimensions of Sustainability) 

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Download Proposal Report: Socially-Sustainable Transportation System in Louisville (Class Project: DeCaro, University of Louisville, Sustainable Social-Ecological Systems)

 

· Urban Heat Island Study

Partner Organizations and Courses

· University of Louisville 

       o Daniel DeCaro, Graduate/Undergraduate Course, Behavioral Dimensions of Sustainability

Projects

Lou’s Energy Challenge. City-wide energy conservation competition created by the Partnership for a Green City’s Sustainable Behavior Team.

Community-Based Social Marketing. Psychological scientist Mckenzie-Mohr (2000, 2013) describes five steps for understanding and designing effective behavior-based solutions to problems in sustainability. 

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Video (Demonstrates and Explains the Method)

Guide

Download Article (Mckenzie-Mohr 2013)

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