Professor Wouter Poortinga
Professor
- poortingaw@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)29 2087 4755
- Tower Building, 70 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT
Overview
Research summary
I am a Professor of environmental psychology at the Welsh School of Architecture and the School of Psychology at Cardiff University. My research interests are in a wide variety of topics regarding human-environment interactions, including (1) environmental risk perception, (2) sustainable behaviours and lifestyles, and (3) housing, neighbourhoods and health.
I have organised a number of comprehensive surveys of public opinion towards future energy options and climate change, and contributed to a research synthesis of the literature on public attitudes to environmental change. I am currently leading a project on public attitudes to nuclear power and climate change in Britain two years after the Fukushima accident.
My work on sustainable behaviours and lifestyles examined the role of environmental values and attitudes in household energy use, evaluated the effectiveness and further attitudinal and behavioural impacts of the Welsh carrier bag charge, and involved the development of a Welsh environmental attitudes and behaviours segmentation model.
I am currently managing a portfolio for research project on the topic of housing, neighbourhoods and health. This includes projects on the health impacts of the Carmarthenshire Homes Standard (CHS) programme – based on the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS), the health impacts and economic value of meeting housing quality standards (in which we further develop the Residential Environment Assessment Tool; REAT), and the evaluation of structural energy-performance investments in low-income neighbourhood through the Arbed programme.
Further research interests are in social capital and cohesion and its role in community resilience and wellbeing, perceptions of indoor air quality, and the clustering of lifestyle risk factors. Other research helps to understand how social values get translated into action. This research is being undertaken in collaboration with colleagues in the Values in Action (ViA) Centre, at Cardiff University
Teaching summary
Level 1 (MEDIC): Health in Society: Stress, Health and Coping lectures for the Health in Society module.
Level 2 (PSYCH): Social Psychology Practical (PS2007) on the 'Asymmetry of Trust’
Level 3 (PSYCH): Coordinator and Lecturer on the Environmental Psychology Module (PS3415) on the topics of Environmental Behaviour, Environmental Risk Perception, Environmental Cognition, and Environmental Influences on Attitudes, Behaviour, and Well-Being.
Level 3 (ARCHI): Social Aspects of Design lecture for the Issues in Contemporary Architecture module.
M.Arch (ARCHI): Lectures and seminars on Social Research Methods and Research Ethics for the Research Methods module (Part 2 of Architectural Studies).
Masters (ARCHI): Lecture on Environmental Attitudes and Behaviour for the Architecture Earth & Society module (MSc in Theory and Practice of Sustainable Design; MSc in Sustainable Energy and Environment).
Masters (ARCHI): Tutoring and lecturing on Social Research Methods for the Primitives module (MSc in Theory and Practice of Sustainable Design; MSc in Sustainable Energy and Environment).
Biography
Education
2002-2004: PhD Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich.
1995-1997: Energy and Environmental Studies, University of Groningen, the Netherlands (MSc level). Centre for Energy and Environmental Studies (IVEM).
1990‑1995: MSc Social Psychology, University of Groningen, the Netherlands. Department of Social and Organisational Psychology
Employment
2014-present: Professor, Welsh School of Architecture/ Department of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff
2010-2014: Senior Lecturer, Welsh School of Architecture/ Department of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff
2006-2010: RCUK Academic Fellow, Welsh School of Architecture/ Department of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff
2001-2005: Senior Research Associate. Centre for Environmental Risk (CER). University of East Anglia, Norwich.
2000: Researcher. Social and Cultural Planning Office (SCP), the Netherlands.
1999-2000: Researcher. Centre for Environmental and Traffic Psychology (COV), University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
Publications
2024
- Chard, E., Bergstad, C. J., Steentjes, K., Poortinga, W. and Demski, C. 2024. Gender and cross-country differences in the determinants of sustainable diet intentions: A multigroup analysis of the UK, China, Sweden, and Brazil. Frontiers in Psychology 15 (10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1355969)
2023
- Swaffield, J., Whitmarsh, L. and Poortinga, W. 2023. Interrupting the flow of water: Behavioural interventions and moments of change. Institute of Water Journal 8, pp. 4-5.
- Poortinga, W., Whitmarsh, L., Steentjes, K., Gray, E., Thompson, S. and Brisley, R. 2023. Factors and framing effects in support for net zero policies in the UK. Frontiers in Psychology 14 (10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1287188)
- Poortinga, W. and Drews, S. 2023. Charging for change: the effectiveness of economic instruments to change environmentally-relevant behaviours. In: Gatersleben, B. and Murtagh, N. eds. Handbook on Pro-Environmental Behaviour Change. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, pp. 289-307.
- Verfuerth, C., Demski, C., Capstick, S., Whitmarsh, L. and Poortinga, W. 2023. A people-centred approach is needed to meet net zero goals. Journal of the British Academy 11(S4), pp. 97-124. (10.5871/jba/011s4.097)
- Böhm, G. et al. 2023. Emotional reactions to climate change: a comparison across France, Germany, Norway, and the United Kingdom. Frontiers in Psychology 14, article number: 1139133. (10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1139133)
- Poortinga, W., Demski, C. and Steentjes, K. 2023. Generational differences in climate-related beliefs, risk perceptions and emotions in the UK. Communications Earth & Environment 4, article number: 229. (10.1038/s43247-023-00870-x)
2022
- Fisher, S. D., Kenny, J., Poortinga, W., Böhm, G. and Steg, L. 2022. The politicisation of climate change attitudes in Europe. Electoral Studies 79, article number: 102499. (10.1016/j.electstud.2022.102499)
- Poortinga, W., Latter, B. and Wang, S. 2022. Comparing coronavirus (COVID-19) and climate change perceptions: Implications for support for individual and collective-level policies. Frontiers in Psychology 13, article number: 996546. (10.3389/fpsyg.2022.996546)
- Whittle, C., Whitmarsh, L., Nash, N. and Poortinga, W. 2022. Life events and their association with changes in the frequency of transport use in a large UK sample. Travel Behaviour and Society 28, pp. 273-287. (10.1016/j.tbs.2022.04.007)
- Capstick, S., Nash, N., Whitmarsh, L., Poortinga, W., Haggar, P. and Brügger, A. 2022. The connection between subjective wellbeing and pro-environmental behaviour: Individual and cross-national characteristics in a seven-country study. Environmental Science and Policy 133, pp. 63-73. (10.1016/j.envsci.2022.02.025)
2021
- Whitmarsh, L., Poortinga, W. and Capstick, S. 2021. Behaviour change to address climate change. Current Opinion in Psychology 42, pp. 76-81. (10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.04.002)
- Wolstenholme, E., Carfora, V., Catellani, P., Poortinga, W. and Whitmarsh, L. 2021. Explaining intention to reduce red and processed meat in the UK and Italy using the theory of planned behaviour, meat-eater identity, and the Transtheoretical model. Appetite 166, article number: 105467. (10.1016/j.appet.2021.105467)
- Guati-Rojo, A., Demski, C., Poortinga, W. and Valera-Medina, A. 2021. Public attitudes and concerns about ammonia as an energy vector. Energies 14(21), article number: 7296. (10.3390/en14217296)
- Phillips, R. et al. 2021. Cohort profile: The UK COVID-19 Public Experiences (COPE) prospective longitudinal mixed-methods study of health and well-being during the SARSCoV2 coronavirus pandemic. PLoS ONE 16(10), article number: e0258484. (10.1371/journal.pone.0258484)
- Poortinga, W., Bird, N., Hallingberg, B., Phillips, R. and Williams, D. 2021. The role of perceived public and private green space in subjective health and wellbeing during and after the first peak of the COVID-19 outbreak. Landscape and Urban Planning 211, article number: 104092. (10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104092)
- Sonnberger, M. et al. 2021. Climate concerned but anti-nuclear: exploring (dis)approval of nuclear energy in four European countries. Energy Research and Social Science 75, article number: 102008. (10.1016/j.erss.2021.102008)
- Gregersen, T., Doran, R., Böhm, G. and Poortinga, W. 2021. Outcome expectancies moderate the association between worry about climate change and personal energy-saving behaviors. PLoS ONE 16(5), article number: e0252105. (10.1371/journal.pone.0252105)
- Pohjolainen, P. et al. 2021. The role of national affluence, carbon emissions, and democracy in Europeans' climate perceptions. Innovation: The European Journal of Social Science Research (10.1080/13511610.2021.1909465)
2020
- Mouratidis, K. and Poortinga, W. 2020. Built environment, urban vitality and social cohesion: Do vibrant neighborhoods foster strong communities?. Landscape and Urban Planning 204, article number: 103951. (10.1016/j.landurbplan.2020.103951)
- Wolstenholme, E., Poortinga, W. and Whitmarsh, L. 2020. Two birds, one stone: the effectiveness of health and environmental messages to reduce meat consumption and encourage pro-environmental behavioural spillover. Frontiers in Psychology 11, article number: 577111. (10.3389/fpsyg.2020.577111)
- Verschoor, M., Albers, C., Poortinga, W., Böhm, G. and Steg, L. 2020. Exploring relationships between climate change beliefs and energy preferences: a network analysis of the European Social Survey. Journal of Environmental Psychology 70, article number: 101435. (10.1016/j.jenvp.2020.101435)
- Gregersen, T., Doran, R., Böhm, G., Tvinnereim, E. and Poortinga, W. 2020. Political orientation moderates the relationship between climate change beliefs and worry about climate change. Frontiers in Psychology 11, article number: 1573. (10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01573)
- Bouman, T. et al. 2020. When worry about climate change leads to climate action: how values, worry and personal responsibility relate to various climate actions. Global Environmental Change 62, article number: 102061. (10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2020.102061)
- Wahl-Jorgensen, K. et al. 2020. Advice for journalists covering Covid-19: Welsh NHS confederation. Documentation. Cardiff: School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff University.
- Milfont, T. L., Poortinga, W. and Sibley, C. G. 2020. Does having children increase environmental concern? Testing parenthood effects with longitudinal data from the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study. PLoS ONE 15(3) (10.1371/journal.pone.0230361)
2019
- Bertoldo, R. et al. 2019. Scientific truth or debate: On the link between perceived scientific consensus and belief in anthropogenic climate change. Public Understanding of Science 28(7), pp. 778-796. (10.1177/0963662519865448)
- Poortinga, W., Nash, N. and Hoeijmakers, L. 2019. Rapid review of charging for disposable coffee cups and other waste minimisation measure. Edinburgh: Scottish Government. Available at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/report-expert-panel-environmental-charging-measures-epecom-recommendations-single-use-disposable-beverage-cups-july-2019/pages/8/
- Poortinga, W. 2019. Health and social outcomes of housing policies to alleviate fuel poverty. In: Fabbri, K. ed. Urban Fuel Poverty. Academic Press, pp. 239-258., (10.1016/B978-0-12-816952-0.00010-7)
- Umit, R., Poortinga, W., Jokinen, P. and Pohjolainen, P. 2019. The role of income in energy efficiency and curtailment behaviours: Findings from 22 European countries. Energy Research and Social Science 53, pp. 206-214. (10.1016/j.erss.2019.02.025)
- Poortinga, W., Whitmarsh, L., Steg, L., Böhm, G. and Fisher, S. 2019. Climate change perceptions and their individual-level determinants: A cross-European analysis. Global Environmental Change 55, pp. 25-35. (10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2019.01.007)
- Thomas, G. O., Sautkina, E., Poortinga, W., Wolstenholme, E. and Whitmarsh, L. 2019. The English plastic bag charge changed behaviour and increased support for other charges to reduce plastic waste. Frontiers in Psychology 10, article number: 266. (10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00266)
- Capstick, S., Demski, C., Poortinga, W., Whitmarsh, L., Steentjes, K., Corner, A. and Graham, H. 2019. CAST Briefing Paper 02: Public opinion in a time of climate emergency. Working paper. Cardiff: Cardiff University. Available at: https://cast.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/CAST-Briefing-02-Public-opinion-in-a-time-of-climate-emergency-1.pdf
2018
- Rodgers, S. E. et al. 2018. Emergency hospital admissions associated with a non-randomised housing intervention meeting national housing quality standards: a longitudinal data linkage study. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 72(10), pp. 896-903. (10.1136/jech-2017-210370)
- Demski, C. et al. 2018. National context is a key determinant of energy security concerns across Europe. Nature Energy 3, pp. 882-888. (10.1038/s41560-018-0235-8)
- Poortinga, W., Fisher, S., Bohm, G., Steg, L., Whitmarsh, L. and Ogunbode, C. 2018. European attitudes to climate change and energy. Topline results from Round 8 of the European Social Survey. European Social Survey ERIC. Available at: http://www.europeansocialsurvey.org/docs/findings/ESS8_toplines_issue_9_climatechange.pdf
- Poortinga, W., Jiang, S., Grey, C. and Tweed, C. 2018. Impacts of energy-efficiency investments on internal conditions in low-income households. Building Research and Information 46(6), pp. 653-667. (10.1080/09613218.2017.1314641)
- Rodgers, S. E. et al. 2018. Health impact, and economic value, of meeting housing quality standards: a retrospective longitudinal data linkage study. Public Health Research 6(8), pp. 1-104. (10.3310/phr06080)
- Poortinga, W. et al. 2018. The health impacts of energy performance investments in low-income areas: a mixed-methods approach. Public Health Research 6(5), pp. 1-182. (10.3310/phr06050)
- Poortinga, W. and Whitaker, L. 2018. Promoting the use of reusable coffee cups through environmental messaging, the provision of alternatives and financial incentives. Sustainability 10(3), article number: 873. (10.3390/su10030873)
- Thomas, G. O., Fisher, R., Whitmarsh, L., Milfont, T. L. and Poortinga, W. 2018. The impact of parenthood on environmental attitudes and behaviour: a longitudinal investigation of the legacy hypothesis. Population and Environment 39(3), pp. 261-276. (10.1007/s11111-017-0291-1)
- Fisher, S., Fitzgerald, R. and Poortinga, W. 2018. Climate change: social divisions in beliefs and behaviour. In: Curtice, J. et al. eds. British Social Attitudes: The 35th Report. London: The National Centre for Social Research, pp. 1-26.
2017
- Poortinga, W., Jones, N., Lannon, S. and Jenkins, H. 2017. Social and health outcomes following upgrades to a national housing standard: a multilevel analysis of a five-wave repeated cross-sectional survey. BMC Public Health 17, article number: 927. (10.1186/s12889-017-4928-x)
- Nash, N. et al. 2017. Climate-relevant behavioural spillover and the potential contribution of social practice theory. WIREs Climate Change 8(6), article number: e481. (10.1002/wcc.481)
- Grey, C. N. B., Schmieder-Gaite, T., Jiang, S., Nascimento, C. and Poortinga, W. 2017. Cold homes, fuel poverty and energy efficiency improvements: A longitudinal focus group approach. Indoor and Built Environment 26(7), pp. 902-913. (10.1177/1420326X17703450)
- Poortinga, W. et al. 2017. Neighborhood quality and attachment: Validation of the Revised Residential Environment Assessment Tool. Environment and Behavior 49(3), pp. 255-282. (10.1177/0013916516634403)
- Grey, C. N. B., Jiang, S., Nascimento, C., Rodgers, S. E., Johnson, R., Lyons, R. A. and Poortinga, W. 2017. The short-term health and psychosocial impacts of domestic energy efficiency investments in low-income areas: a controlled before and after study. BMC Public Health 17(1), article number: 140. (10.1186/s12889-017-4075-4)
- Steentjes, K. et al. 2017. European Perceptions of Climate Change (EPCC): Topline findings of a survey conducted in four European countries in 2016. Project Report. Cardiff: Cardiff University.
- Corner, A. J. et al. 2017. European Perceptions of Climate Change (EPCC): six recommendations for public engagement. Project Report. Oxford: Climate Outreach.
- Poortinga, W. 2017. Results of a field experiment to reduce coffee cup waste. Project Report. Cardiff: Welsh School of Architecture & School of Psychology, Cardiff University.
2016
- Poortinga, W. et al. 2016. Short-term health and social impacts of energy-efficiency investments in low-income communities: a controlled field study. The Lancet 388(S2), pp. S96-S96. (10.1016/S0140-6736(16)32332-7)
- Rodgers, S. E., Bailey, R., Johnson, R., Berridge, D., Poortinga, W., Dunstan, F. D. J. and Lyons, R. A. 2016. Effects of national housing quality standards on hospital emergency admissions: a quasi-experiment using data-linkage. The Lancet 388(Supp 2), pp. S3. (10.1016/S0140-6736(16)32239-5)
- Thomas, G. O., Poortinga, W. and Sautkina, E. 2016. The Welsh Single-Use Carrier Bag Charge and behavioural spillover. Journal of Environmental Psychology 47, pp. 126-135. (10.1016/j.jenvp.2016.05.008)
- Jones, N., Poortinga, W., Lannon, S. C. and Calve, T. 2016. The effect of a housing intervention on the quality of the neighbourhood environment. Working paper. Cardiff: Welsh School of Architecture. Available at: http://sites.cardiff.ac.uk/architecture/research/working-paper-series/
- Thomas, G. O., Poortinga, W. and Sautkina, E. 2016. Habit discontinuity, self-activation, and the diminishing influence of context change: evidence from the UK understanding society survey. PLoS ONE 11(4), article number: e0153490. (10.1371/journal.pone.0153490)
- Poortinga, W. and Darnton, A. 2016. Segmenting for sustainability: The development of a sustainability segmentation model from a Welsh sample. Journal of Environmental Psychology 45, pp. 221-232. (10.1016/j.jenvp.2016.01.009)
- Arnold, A. et al. 2016. Socio-political profiles to inform a cross-national survey in France, Germany, Norway and the UK.. Project Report. [Online]. Oxford: Climate Outreach. Available at: http://climateoutreach.org/resources/european-perceptions
- Poortinga, W., Sautkina, E., Thomas, G. O. and Wolstenholme, E. 2016. The English plastic bag charge: Changes in attitudes and behaviour. Project Report. Welsh School of Architecture, School of Psychology, Cardiff University.
- Suffolk, C. and Poortinga, W. 2016. Behavioural changes after energy efficiency improvements in residential properties. In: Santarius, T., Walnum, H. J. and Aall, C. eds. Rethinking Climate and Energy Policies. New Perspectives on the Rebound Phenomenon. Springer, pp. 121-142.
2015
- Fenenga, C. J., Nketiah-Amponsah, E., Ogink, A., Arhinful, D. K., Poortinga, W. and Hutter, I. 2015. Social capital and active membership in the Ghana National Health Insurance Scheme - a mixed method study. International Journal for Equity in Health 14(1), article number: 118. (10.1186/s12939-015-0239-y)
2014
- Capstick, S. B., Whitmarsh, L. E., Poortinga, W., Pidgeon, N. F. and Upham, P. 2014. International trends in public perceptions of climate change over the past quarter century. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change 6(1), pp. 35-61. (10.1002/wcc.321)
- Demski, C. C., Poortinga, W. and Pidgeon, N. F. 2014. Exploring public perceptions of energy security risks in the UK. Energy Policy 66, pp. 369-378. (10.1016/j.enpol.2013.10.079)
- Rodgers, S. E. et al. 2014. Cohort Profile: The housing regeneration and health study. International Journal of Epidemiology 43(1), pp. 52-60. (10.1093/ije/dys200)
- Bird, D. K., Haynes, K., van den Honert, R., McAneney, J. and Poortinga, W. 2014. Nuclear power in Australia: A comparative analysis of public opinion regarding climate change and the Fukushima disaster. Energy Policy 65, pp. 644-653. (10.1016/j.enpol.2013.09.047)
- Marshall, G., Darnton, A., Ellis-Jones, C., Nash, N., Poortinga, W., Whitmarsh, L. E. and Young, E. 2014. Sustainable development narratives for Wales: a framework for communications. Project Report. [Online]. Welsh Government. Available at: http://wales.gov.uk/docs/dsjlg/publications/140206-sus-dev-narratives.pdf
2013
- de Groot, J. I. M., Steg, L. and Poortinga, W. 2013. Values, perceived risks and benefits, and acceptability of nuclear energy. Risk Analysis 33(2), pp. 307-317. (10.1111/j.1539-6924.2012.01845.x)
- Poortinga, W., Aoyagi, M. and Pidgeon, N. F. 2013. Public perceptions of climate change and energy futures before and after the Fukushima accident: A comparison between Britain and Japan. Energy Policy 62, pp. 1204-1211. (10.1016/j.enpol.2013.08.015)
- Poortinga, W. and Aoyagi, M. 2013. Public perceptions of climate change and energy futures before and after the Fukushima accident. Working paper. Cardiff: Welsh School of Architecture. Available at: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/archi/images/working%20papers/WSA%20Working%20Paper%2001-2013.pdf
- Poortinga, W., Whitmarsh, L. E. and Suffolk, C. 2013. The introduction of a single-use carrier bag charge in Wales: Attitude change and behavioural spillover effects. Journal of Environmental Psychology 36, pp. 240-247. (10.1016/j.jenvp.2013.09.001)
2012
- Poortinga, W., Whitmarsh, L. E. and Suffolk, C. 2012. The introduction of a single-use carrier bag charge in Wales: attitude change and behavioural spillover effects. Working paper. Cardiff: Welsh School of Architecture.
- Pidgeon, N. F., Corner, A. J., Parkhill, K., Spence, A. A., Butler, C. and Poortinga, W. 2012. Exploring early public responses to geoengineering. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London Series A: Mathematical and Physical Sciences 370(1974), pp. 4176-4196. (10.1098/rsta.2012.0099)
- Poortinga, W., Spence, A., Demski, C. and Pidgeon, N. F. 2012. Individual-motivational factors in the acceptability of demand-side and supply-side measures to reduce carbon emissions. Energy Policy 48, pp. 812-819. (10.1016/j.enpol.2012.06.029)
- Spence, A., Poortinga, W. and Pidgeon, N. F. 2012. The psychological distance of climate change. Risk Analysis 32(6), pp. 957-972. (10.1111/j.1539-6924.2011.01695.x)
- Poortinga, W. 2012. Community resilience and health: The role of bonding, bridging, and linking aspects of social capital. Health & Place 18(2), pp. 286-295. (10.1016/j.healthplace.2011.09.017)
2011
- Poortinga, W., Spence, A., Whitmarsh, L. E., Capstick, S. B. and Pidgeon, N. F. 2011. Uncertain climate: An investigation into public scepticism about anthropogenic climate change. Global Environmental Change 21(3), pp. 1015-1024. (10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2011.03.001)
- Spence, A., Poortinga, W., Butler, C. and Pidgeon, N. F. 2011. Perceptions of climate change and willingness to save energy related to flood experience. Nature Climate Change 1(1), pp. 46-49. (10.1038/nclimate1059)
- Whitmarsh, L. E. et al. 2011. Public attitudes, understanding, and engagement in relation to low-carbon energy. A selective review of academic and non-academic literatures : report for RCUK Energy Programme. Project Report. [Online]. Research Councils UK. Available at: http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/RCUK-prod/assets/documents/energy/EnergySynthesisFINAL20110124.pdf
- Van Woerden, H. C., Poortinga, W., Bronstering, K., Garrib, A. and Hegazi, A. 2011. The relationship of different sources of social support and civic participation with self-rated health. Journal of Public Mental Health 10(3), pp. 126-139. (10.1108/17465721111175010)
- Corner, A. J., Venables, D., Spence, A., Poortinga, W., Demski, C. C. and Pidgeon, N. F. 2011. Nuclear power, climate change and energy security: Exploring British public attitudes. Energy Policy 39(9), pp. 4823-4833. (10.1016/j.enpol.2011.06.037)
- Parag, Y., Capstick, S. B. and Poortinga, W. 2011. Policy attribute framing: A comparison between three policy instruments for personal emissions reduction. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management 30(4), pp. 889-905. (10.1002/pam.20610)
- Poortinga, W., Bronstering, K. and Lannon, S. C. 2011. Awareness and Perceptions of the Risks of Exposure to Indoor Radon: A Population-Based Approach to Evaluate a Radon Awareness and Testing Campaign in England and Wales. Risk Analysis 31(11), pp. 1800-1812. (10.1111/j.1539-6924.2011.01613.x)
- Poortinga, W., Gebel, K., Bauman, A. and Moudon, A. V. 2011. Neighborhood environment, physical activity and obesity. In: Nriagu, J. O. ed. Encyclopedia of Environmental Health., Vol. 4. Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 44-53., (10.1016/B978-0-444-52272-6.00425-6)
- Van Woerden, H. C., Poortinga, W., Bronstering, K., Garrib, A. and Hegazi, A. 2011. The relationship of different sources of social support and civic participation with self-rated health. Journal of Public Mental Health 10(3), pp. 126-139. (10.1108/17465721111175010)
2010
- Spence, A. A., Poortinga, W., Pidgeon, N. F. and Lorenzoni, I. 2010. Public perceptions of energy choices: the influence of beliefs about climate change and the environment. Energy and Environment 21(5), pp. 385-407. (10.1260/0958-305X.21.5.385)
2009
- Tompkins, E. L., Hurlston, L. and Poortinga, W. 2009. Foreignness as a constraint on learning: The impact of migrants on disaster resilience in small islands. Environmental Hazards: human and policy dimensions 8(4), pp. 263-277. (10.3763/ehaz.2009.0018)
2008
- Rowe, G., Horlick-Jones, T. E., Walls, J., Poortinga, W. and Pidgeon, N. F. 2008. Analysis of a normative framework for evaluating public engagement exercises: reliability, validity and limitations. Public Understanding of Science 17(4), pp. 419-441. (10.1177/0963662506075351)
- Poortinga, W., Dunstan, F. D. J. and Fone, D. L. 2008. Neighbourhood deprivation and self-rated health: The role of perceptions of the neighbourhood and of housing problems. Health & Place 14(3), pp. 562-575. (10.1016/j.healthplace.2007.10.003)
- Bickerstaff, K., Lorenzoni, I., Pidgeon, N. F., Poortinga, W. and Simmons, P. 2008. Reframing nuclear power in the UK energy debate: nuclear power, climate change mitigation and radioactive waste. Public Understanding of Science 17(2), pp. 145-169. (10.1177/0963662506066719)
- Poortinga, W., Dunstan, F. D. J. and Fone, D. L. 2008. Health locus of control beliefs and socio-economic differences in self-rated health. Preventive Medicine 46(4), pp. 374-380. (10.1016/j.ypmed.2007.11.015)
- Pidgeon, N. F., Lorenzoni, I. and Poortinga, W. 2008. Climate change or nuclear power - No thanks! A quantitative study of public perceptions and risk framing in Britain. Global Environmental Change 18(1), pp. 69-85. (10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2007.09.005)
- Poortinga, W., Cox, P. and Pidgeon, N. F. 2008. The perceived health risks of indoor radon gas and overhead powerlines: A comparative multilevel approach. Risk Analysis 28(1), pp. 235-248. (10.1111/j.1539-6924.2008.01015.x)
2007
- Poortinga, W., Dunstan, F. D. J. and Fone, D. L. 2007. Perceptions of the neighbourhood environment and self rated health: a multilevel analysis of the Caerphilly Health and Social Needs Study. BMC Public Health 7, article number: 285. (10.1186/1471-2458-7-285)
- Poortinga, W. 2007. Associations of physical activity with smoking and alcohol consumption: A sport or occupation effect?. Preventive Medicine 45(1), pp. 66-70. (10.1016/j.ypmed.2007.04.013)
- Horlick-Jones, T. E., Walls, J., Rowe, G., Pidgeon, N. F., Poortinga, W., Murdock, G. and O'Riordan, T. 2007. The GM debate: risk, politics and public engagement. Genetics and Society. Abingdon and New York: Routledge.
- Poortinga, W. 2007. The prevalence and clustering of four major lifestyle risk factors in an English adult population. Preventive Medicine 44(2), pp. 124-128. (10.1016/j.ypmed.2006.10.006)
- Pidgeon, N. F., Poortinga, W. and Walls, J. 2007. Scepticism, reliance and risk managing institutions: towards a conceptual model of 'critical trust'. In: Siegrist, M., Earle, T. C. and Gutscher, H. eds. Trust in Cooperative Risk Management: Uncertainty and Scepticism in the Public Mind. The Earthscan Risk in Society Series London: Earthscan, pp. 117-142.
- Poortinga, W. and Pidgeon, N. F. 2007. Public perceptions of agricultural biotechnology in Britain: the case of GM food. In: Brossard, D., Shanahan, J. and Nesbitt, C. eds. The Public, the Media and Agricultural Biotechnology. Cambridge, MA: CABI Publishing, pp. 21-56.
2006
- Poortinga, W. 2006. Perceptions of the environment, physical activity, and obesity. Social Science and Medicine 63(11), pp. 2835-2846. (10.1016/j.socscimed.2006.07.018)
- Poortinga, W. and Pidgeon, N. F. 2006. Exploring the structure of attitudes toward genetically modified food. Risk Analysis 26(6), pp. 1707-1719. (10.1111/j.1539-6924.2006.00828.x)
- Poortinga, W. 2006. Do health behaviors mediate the association between social capital and health?. Preventive Medicine 43(6), pp. 488-493. (10.1016/j.ypmed.2006.06.004)
- Horlick-Jones, T. E., Walls, J., Rowe, G., Pidgeon, N. F., Poortinga, W. and O'Riordan, T. 2006. On evaluating the GM Nation? Public debate about the commercialisation of transgenic crops in Britain. New Genetics and Society 25(3), pp. 265-288. (10.1080/14636770601032858)
- Poortinga, W. and Pidgeon, N. F. 2006. Prior attitudes, salient value similarity, and dimensionality: Toward an integrative model of trust in risk regulation. Journal of Applied Social Psychology 36(7), pp. 1674-1700. (10.1111/j.0021-9029.2006.00076.x)
- Lorenzoni, I., Leiserowitz, A., Doria, M. D. F., Poortinga, W. and Pidgeon, N. F. 2006. Cross-national comparisons of image associations with "global warming" and "climate change" among laypeople in the United States of America and Great Britain. Journal of Risk Research 9(3), pp. 265-281. (10.1080/13669870600613658)
- Rowe, G., Poortinga, W. and Pidgeon, N. F. 2006. A comparison of responses to Internet and postal surveys in a public engagement context. Science Communication 27(3), pp. 352-375. (10.1177/1075547005284668)
- Poortinga, W. 2006. Social relations or social capital? Individual and community health effects of bonding social capital. Social Science & Medicine 63(1), pp. 255-270. (10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.11.039)
- Poortinga, W. 2006. Social capital: An individual or collective resource for health?. Social Science & Medicine 62(2), pp. 292-302. (10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.06.008)
- Pidgeon, N. F. and Poortinga, W. 2006. British public attitudes to agricultural biotechnology and the 2003 GM nation? Public debate: distrust, ambivalence and risk. In: Glasner, P., Atkinson, P. and Greenslade, H. eds. New Genetics, New Social Formations. Genetics and Society New York, NY: Routledge, pp. 10-36.
- Poortinga, W., Pidgeon, N. F. and Lorenzoni, I. 2006. Public perceptions of nuclear power, climate change and energy options in Britain: Summary findings of a survey conducted during october and november 2005. Technical Report.
2005
- Poortinga, W. 2005. The use of multi-level modelling in risk research. A secondary analysis of a study of public perceptions of genetically modified food. Journal of Risk Research 8(7-8), pp. 583-597. (10.1080/1366987042000310677)
- Pidgeon, N. F., Poortinga, W., Rowe, G., Horlick-Jones, T. E., Walls, J. and O'Riordan, T. 2005. Using surveys in public participation processes for risk decision-making: the case of the 2003 British GM Nation? Public Debate. Risk Analysis 25(2), pp. 467-479. (10.1111/j.1539-6924.2005.00603.x)
- Poortinga, W. and Pidgeon, N. F. 2005. Trust in risk regulation: cause or consequence of the acceptability of GM food?. Risk Analysis 25(1), pp. 199-209. (10.1111/j.0272-4332.2005.00579.x)
- Poortinga, W. 2005. Vertrouwen en de perceptie van technologische risico's. In: Pieterman, R., Dekker, P. and Elffers, H. eds. Veiligheid, Vertrouwen en Good Governance. Den Haag: Elsevier
2004
- Poortinga, W. and Pidgeon, N. F. 2004. Trust, the asymmetry principle, and the role of prior beliefs. Risk Analysis 24(6), pp. 1475-1486. (10.1111/j.0272-4332.2004.00543.x)
- Poortinga, W., Steg, L. and Vlek, C. 2004. Values, environmental concern and environmentally significant behaviour: a study into household energy use. Environment & Behavior 36(1), pp. 70-93. (10.1177/0013916503251466)
- Poortinga, W., Bickerstaff, K., Langford, I., Niewöhner, J. and Pidgeon, N. F. 2004. The British 2001 Foot and Mouth crisis: a comparative study of public risk perceptions, trust and beliefs about government policy in two communities. Journal of Risk Research 7(1), pp. 73-90. (10.1080/1366987042000151205)
2003
- Poortinga, W. and Pidgeon, N. F. 2003. Exploring the dimensionality of trust in risk regulation. Risk Analysis 23(5), pp. 961-972. (10.1111/1539-6924.00373)
- Poortinga, W., Steg, L., Vlek, C. and Wiersma, G. 2003. Household preferences for energy-saving measures: A conjoint analysis. Journal of Economic Psychology 24(1), pp. 49-64. (10.1016/S0167-4870(02)00154-X)
2002
- Poortinga, W., Steg, L. and Vlek, C. 2002. Environmental risk concern and preferences for energy-saving measures. Environment & Behavior 34(4), pp. 455-478. (10.1177/00116502034004003)
- Poortinga, W. and Steg, L. 2002. Viable behavioural and technological energy-saving measures. Milieu: Tijdschrift voor Milieukunde 17(3), pp. 123-135.
- Poortinga, W. and Dekker, P. 2002. Voedselveiligheid: een kwestie van vertrouwen? [Food safety: a matter of trust?]. In: Bronner, A. E. et al. eds. Recente Ontwikkelingen in het Marktonderzoek: Jaarboek 2002. Haarlem, Netherlands: De Vrieseborch, pp. 157-171.
- Poortinga, W., Steg, L. and Vlek, C. 2002. Myths of nature and environmental management strategies: A field study on energy reductions in traffic and transport. Presented at: 16th International Association for People-Environment Studies, Paris, France, July 2000 Presented at Moser, G. et al. eds.People, Places, and Sustainability. Göttingen: Hogrefe & Huber pp. 280-290.
2001
- Hendrickx, L., Poortinga, W. and van der Kooij, R. 2001. Temporal factors in resource dilemmas. Acta Psychologica 108(2), pp. 137-154. (10.1016/S0001-6918(01)00032-4)
Research topics and related papers
I have a broad interest spanning the topics of Environmental Attitudes and Behaviour, Environmental Risk Perception, and Environmental Health. Current research topics studied include:
- Housing and health
- The role of social capital in community resilience and wellbeing
- Public perceptions of climate change and energy futures
- Perceptions of radiological risks (e.g. radon, nuclear power)
- Sustainable lifestyles and practices
Funding
National Institute of Health Research. Public Health Research programme (2013-2016)
Health impacts of structural energy performance investments in Wales: An evaluation of the Arbed programme.
£739,601
Carmarthenshire County Council (2009-2016)
Carmarthenshire homes standard health impact scoping study.
National Institute of Heath Research. Public Health Research programme (2011-2016)
Health impact, and economic value, of meeting housing quality standards.
£ 525,361.
UK Energy Research Centre (2013)
Two Years On: How has the Fukushima accident changed attitudes to nuclear power in Britain and Japan.
£18,839
Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation and Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation (2013)
Grant to organise public seminar on Energy Policy, Media Representations, and Public Perceptions of Nuclear Power after the Fukushima Disaster.
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (2012)
Invitation Fellowship for Research in Japan (Short Term): Public Perceptions of Climate Change and Energy Security, Preferences for Future Energy Technologies.
Welsh Government (2011)
Developing Narratives for a Sustainable Wales.
£90,000
Welsh Government (2011)
Evaluation of the Introduction of a Charge on Single-Use Carrier Bags in Wales: Attitude Change and Behavioural Spillover.
£27,683
Welsh Assembly Government: New Ideas Fund (2010-2011)
Community resilience and wellbeing in Wales: A multilevel analysis of the 2007 and 2009 Citizenship Survey
£9,981.
Research Councils UK (2010).
Public Attitudes to Low-Carbon Energy - Research Synthesis.
Welsh Assembly Government (2010-2011)
Welsh environmental attitudes and behaviour segmentation project.
Research Councils UK, Living With Environmental Change (2009)
Research Synthesis. A review of public attitudes to environmental change.£29,600.
Economic and Social Research Council (2008-2010)
Public perceptions of climate change and energy futures in Britain.
£314,177
Department of Health (2007-2009)
Awareness and perceptions of the risks of exposure to radon in homes: a population based approach to examine the impacts of local radon policies, trust, and social capital.£338,891
Leverhulme Trust (2007-2010)
Energy futures and risk: exploring public perceptions.
£1,008,000
Economic and Social Research Council (2005)
Public risk perceptions, climate change and the reframing of UK energy policy
£47,538.
Research group
Supervision
Postgraduate research interests
If you are interested in applying for a PhD, or for further information regarding my postgraduate research, please contact me directly (contact details available on the 'Overview' page), or submit a formal application.
Current students
Ms Christina Demski (Year 3)
Public perceptions of energy choices and climate change.
Mr Dan Venables (Staff Candidate)
Living with nuclear power: A mixed methods study of local community perceptions.
Ms Christine Suffolk (Year 1)
The impacts of housing-led regeneration on energy practices of low income households
Mr Dan Rossiter (Year 1)
Classroom environmental conditions and student performance
