Teaching

Master Programme: Behaviour Change for Sustainable Development

The core of our teaching activity at the University of Geneva is leading this advanced interdisciplinary programme which is designed to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to understand the psychological dimensions of environmental and sustainability challenges. It bridges psychological science and sustainable development to explore how human behaviour can be changed in order to address major global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource overconsumption. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in behaviour change, communication and public engagement, policy analysis and programme evaluation, sustainability and behavioural consulting, and research.

Content: The curriculum is structured around core modules that emphasize both foundational psychological theory and applied sustainability issues. Students begin with an in-depth analysis of the individual determinants of sustainable and unsustainable behaviour, learning how values, emotions, social norms, beliefs, cognitive biases, heuristics, and social influences shape decisions that affect ecosystems and societal well-being. This theoretical grounding is complemented by training in intervention design and evaluation, preparing students to develop evidence-based strategies that promote sustainable choices.

Key components include:

• Core coursework: Psychological theories relevant to behaviour, judgment and decision making
• Applied methods and data analysis: Research skills for academic inquiry and professional practice
• Interdisciplinary training: Introductory courses in other faculties such as Environmental Economics and Policy, Public law and climate action, Project management, Crowdsourcing and AI broaden interdisciplinary understanding
• Internship: Hands-on experience in real organisational or research settings
• Research thesis and colloquium: In-depth investigation of a selected research topic under faculty supervision

This programme is ideal for students with a B.Sc. in Psychology who want to dive into behavioural science and behaviour change and to work on real-world sustainability challenges. It is particularly suited for those interested in applying psychological science beyond the laboratory, in societal, environmental, or policy contexts. The University of Geneva is a French-speaking university, so the teaching is delivered in French (but all of the reading is in English, and students can write their reports and give their presentations in English, if required).

Bachelor: Introduction to Environmental Psychology

This is a foundational course for first-year students that examines how psychological processes shape human interactions with the natural and built environment. The class introduces key theories on environmental perception, emotions, values, and decision-making related to climate change and sustainability.

Professional Trainings

We also provide professional training and consulting services for enterprises and organizations. These tailored activities focus on aspects of behaviour change, communication, and decision-making, drawing on the latest psychological science. We support organizations in designing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based strategies to foster sustainable practices, employee engagement, and effective climate and sustainability communication.

Please contact tobias.brosch@unige.ch if you have further questions.