Dartmouth's Initiative for Energy and Communication Transformation (DIRECT) is a pioneering 'research-and-action hub' that conducts interdisciplinary studies on the societal impacts of climate change and energy transition, leveraging insights from neuroscience, psychology, and economics. Established recently across Dartmouth College's Departments of Environmental Studies, Psychological & Brain Sciences and Computer Science, DIRECT engages in four key areas:
Multidisciplinary research on cognitive processes, behavioral economics, and social psychology to understand how different demographic groups perceive and respond to climate and energy information;
Developing evidence-based communication strategies tailored to diverse audiences, including policymakers, industry leaders, and community organizers;
Collaborating with governmental bodies, NGOs, and private sector entities to enhance their climate and energy transition communication approaches;
Educating the next generation of climate communicators through specialized courses and hands-on research opportunities.
Current research initiatives at DIRECT include:
Neurocognitive Responses to Climate Messaging
This groundbreaking study uses a combination of “in-moment” brain and body measures to map patterns in response to various climate and energy narratives, providing insights into effective communication strategies.
Behavioral Economics of Energy Choices
DIRECT researchers are examining how economic incentives and cognitive biases influence individual and community-level energy decisions.
Psychophysiological Impacts of Climate Change:
This ongoing collaboration investigates awareness of mental and physical health effects caused by changing environmental contexts and explores resilience-building communication techniques.
Cross-Cultural Climate Communication: DIRECT is conducting comparative studies on climate change perceptions across different cultures, aiming to develop globally applicable communication frameworks.
By integrating cutting-edge research from multiple disciplines, DIRECT aims to revolutionize our understanding of climate and energy communication, ultimately accelerating the transition to a sustainable future.
