UQ Low Harm Hedonism Initiative

If you want to learn about real behaviour, measure real behaviour. 🤔 Why aren’t behavioural intentions enough? 🔎 Which methods can we use to capture actual behaviour in the field? Have a look at this short (2‑minute!) video. 🔗 Full paper: doi.org/10.1080/096695…

How do you choose which interventions to test in the field? Two steps that are often overlooked are: ✅ Scrutinising neutral stimuli ✅ Accounting for different participant pools We extended our previous pre-testing protocol to include this 🔗 doi.org/10.1016/j.tour…

Happy New Year!🎉 We have many exciting research ideas for 2026 that we can’t wait to share with you. We’ll continue our work on sustainable tourism and kick off new projects on sustainable behaviours at home - like electricity usage💡

Can simple table signs reduce buffet plate waste or are they "Not worth the paper they are printed on?"🤔 In our new field study, none of the tested table signs reduced plate waste. Some signs even slightly reduced guest satisfaction. Open-access paper: doi.org/10.1016/j.tour…

We love working in such a diverse team 🥰 Bringing together colleagues from all over the world 🌍 to create innovative solutions for a more sustainable planet! Diversity drives creativity - and we see that every day. What’s your favourite part about working in a global team?

Oscar! We can't believe it is your last day with us here in Brisbane 😢 We are going to really miss you! You always bring so much positive energy into the office. But we know that it is not goodbye, but see you again soon 😊 you will do amazing in your new role! 🌏

We are delighted to be included in the latest round of successful projects funded by Energy Consumers Australia! Our project will provide new insights into energy use and consumer behaviour across Queensland⚡

“Crikey! Let's keep it cozy like a joey in a pouch" 🦘 Sometimes a little humour goes a long way. In our new field study, we test whether humour and compassion messages can encourage hotel guests to use their air conditioner more sustainably 💚 doi.org/10.1016/j.jenv…

Would you book a "Lower Emissions Hotel Room" if it was offered on the hotel booking website? 🌏 This room does not include unsustainable and often unnecessary extras such as single-use shampoo, daily fresh towels, and single-use slippers. vimeo.com/1081693319?fl=…

Congratulations Qingqing on publishing your first PhD paper 🎉 Have you ever used a shower sand timer? In her survey experiment, Qingqing shows that sand timers with anthropomorphised messages are promising in reducing tourists' shower duration 🚿 doi.org/10.1177/004728…

New Research Alert 📰 We find that anthropomorphism can help to change guest behaviour while not reducing satisfaction. In a real hotel, Terri significantly increased hand towel reuse. Not bad for a little towel elephant! 🐘 Full open-access paper: doi.org/10.1177/004728…

Can reducing plate waste at buffets be fun? 🍽️ We tested the potential of a plate waste game - based on enjoyment and social identity processes. Learn more in our new video abstract 🆕 Open access article: doi.org/10.1016/j.food…

Time to celebrate 🎉 Last week we got together to celebrate David Fechner being awarded an ARC Industry Fellowship, Oscar Yuheng Zhu officially graduating, and Qingqing (陈青青) Chen and Peter Lewin publishing their first PhD papers 📰 Great job everyone!

Daily hotel room cleans are often unnecessary, and they are bad for the environment. But how can hotels change their room cleaning procedure without upsetting guests? Find out more in our new video abstract 🎥🆕 doi.org/10.1016/j.jcle…

Survey, online experiment, or field study? 🤔 They all have their place, but each research approach allows for different conclusions. Our #throwback paper provides an overview of how frequently each approach is used in recent tourism research. doi.org/10.1016/j.anna…

Over the past two weeks, we had the pleasure of welcoming Niko Myller from the University of Turku to our group. We explored many exciting research ideas💡Looking forward to continuing our collaboration in the future! ✈️ Safe travels, Niko - thank you for spending time with us!

Real-world sensors, real-world insights! 💡🔍 Another successful deployment of equipment to help us understand #behaviour as it happens — so we can design #sustainability interventions that really work 🌏

🌱 What would motivate you to choose a low-emission meal at a restaurant? Our team explored factors that influence meal choices - from meal names to our different identities. 🔗 doi.org/10.1016/j.food… 🔗 doi.org/10.1080/096695… 🔗 doi.org/10.1016/j.appe…

Want greener #tourists? Focus on #childhood, not just beliefs. Our new study finds adult #habits—formed in childhood—explain 41% of general #pro-environmental behaviour on vacation vs. just 3% explained by environmental beliefs 🌱♻️ Read about it here: doi.org/10.1016/j.jenv…

🎉 Huge congratulations to our PhD candidate Peter Lewin for successfully passing his mid-candidature review! A major milestone on the journey — we’re excited to see where your research goes next 🌍📚