2023 Laureate Profile: Professor Matthew Hornsey

Administering Organisation: The University of Queensland

Fellowship Project Summary

FL230100022 – Understanding and overcoming community roadblocks to achieving net-zero

Professor Hornsey will map community attitudes toward decarbonisation, understand psychological factors underpinning climate (in)action, test communication strategies for catalysing action at scale, and deliver impact tools for end-users. The primary benefit of this program is that it will provide early warning signals as to where and why resistance is brewing as we transition to a low carbon society and offer tools for smoothing that transition. The significant benefits that will emerge will assist in future-proofing the economy, increasing government flexibility to drive change, and reducing social conflict. The project will inform Australia’s transition from a fossil fuel dependent economy to a leader in rapid decarbonisation. Professor Hornsey’s research will help any sector responsible for the carbon transition, including all levels of government, NGOs, the energy sector, and green technology innovators.

Australian Research Council funding: $3,046,415