ASSIGNMENT
The way we currently live causes problems for 1) the environment (e.g., climate change, pollution), 2) our personal and global health (e.g., zoonoses, diet-related diseases), and 3) animal welfare (e.g., Reich et al., 2013; Stel et al., 2022). A more sustainable way of living includes reducing our animal product consumption and creating an ecologically sustainable and economically stable agricultural method (i.e., permaculture). Sanctuary het Wijland (https://sanctuaryhetwijland.nl/) strives for this sustainable way by leading by example and by providing education in an engaging and enjoyable way. They strive for a world in which all animals, including humans, live side by side on the basis of equality and in harmony with the natural environment.
This assignment consists of creating a persuasive and interactive communication message focused on creating awareness of the unsustainable and uncompassionate way humans currently live. The internship student will start by getting acquainted with the existing literature on barriers people experience to live more sustainably. Then, based on the literature and the wishes of the stakeholder Het Wijland, the internship student will design an information message that will be used as an introduction to visitor days of sanctuary. Note that even though the introduction by Het Wijland will be given in Dutch, the communication message can be designed in English also, which will be translated to Dutch when finished.
KEYWORDS
Sustainability; Animal product consumption; ccology; communication message.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ORGANIZATION
Although the assignment will be created for the stakeholder Sanctuary Het Wijland, the internship will take place at the University of Twente. You will have regular meetings with your supervisor at the UT and every now and then visit and have online meetings with the owner of Santuary Het Wijland.
The section Psychology of Conflict, Risk and Safety at the University of Twente has a distinctive and unique profile in the areas of risk perception and risk communication, conflict and crisis management and the antecedents of risky, antisocial and criminal behaviour. It currently includes 16 research staff members and 8 PhD students. We work from both a psychology and an engineering perspective and cooperate with other scientific disciplines, based on the “high tech, human touch” profile of the University of Twente.
AVAILABILITY
Usually anytime. This internship is open for 2 students.
INTERESTED?
Please contact the PCRS internship coordinator Miriam Oostinga (m.s.d.oostinga@utwente.nl).
LITERATURE
- Caviola, L., Everett, J. A. C., & Faber, N. S. (2018). The Moral Standing of Animals: Towards a Psychology of Speciesism. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Advance online publication. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000182
- Harguess, J. M., Crespo, N. C., Hong, M. Y. (2020). Strategies to reduce meat consumption: A systematic literature review of experimental studies, Appetite, 144, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2019.104478.
- Rothgerber, H., & Rosenfeld, D. L (2021). Meat‐related cognitive dissonance: The social psychology of eating animals. Social and Personality Psychology Compass 15, DOI: 10.1111/spc3.12592