New Environmental Psychology Section approved

After changes were made to make it easier for members to form new member networks, more than one per cent of the society's membership had to vote in favour of its formation in the all-member vote during May, with a final vote by members at the recent AGM before the section became a reality.  

The section will bring together members and aim to unite and engage the broader environmental psychology community, provide dissemination, networking, and career development opportunities, and position environmental psychology in the UK as a prominent advocate for positive societal and environmental change.  

 Dr Stacey Heath, who was involved in creating the proposal for the section, said: 

"As one of the proposing committee members, I am incredibly excited to see the Environmental Psychology Section established. This section will provide a vital platform for exploring how psychological principles can help address a wide range of environmental challenges. 

Whether it is about tackling climate change, improving urban spaces, informing educational practices, or enhancing public health, understanding the psychology of human-environment-human interactions is crucial to fostering sustainable behaviours and creating environments that promote wellbeing and growth." 

Professor David Canter, who was also part of the proposing committee, added: 

"It's been half a century since Environmental Psychology first appeared on an academic syllabus. At last, the professional body for British psychologists has been able to support this crucial discipline by creating a section devoted to furthering the academic, policy and practical contributions to the greatest challenge facing humanity. 

It is now clear that modifying and dealing with climate change and environmental degradation requires radical changes in attitudes and behaviour. Changes that psychologists are well placed to contribute to." 

 Members can apply to join the section via the applications button in their BPS Portal account.