T. (Thijs) Bouman, PhD
Associate Professor (with ius promovendi)
Telephone:
Secretary:
E-mail:
t.bouman rug.nl
Field/Discipline
Expertise
Most people consider sustainability important, but they do not always act accordingly. Why? In my research, I examine how people perceive others. People are often too pessimistic about the extent to which others care about sustainability, and this can, in many different ways, discourage them from engaging in or supporting sustainable behaviour. In my research, I investigate where this pessimism comes from and what consequences it has, both at the individual and macro level, and in the present and over time.
Keywords: Environmental Psychology, Values, group processes, misperceptions; often in the context of larger societal crises (e.g., climate change, COVID0-19) and transitions (e.g., energy transition).
Teaching: Coordinator Economic and Consumer Psychology (Bachelor, year 3), Master's thesis coordinator, Internship coordinator. Guest lectures and workshops on Environmental Psychology, Social Psycholog, Energy, for students and professionals.
Research interests: I am interested in personal and group factors that drive individuals’ responses to global crises, in particular climate change.
One research line I am currently working on focuses on personal and (perceived) group values. What values do individuals strongly endorse, what values do individuals perceive others to endorse, and how do such values influence individuals’ attitudes and behaviours?
Another line of research focuses on the interaction between individuals and technology, particularly within the energy domain. How can we better understand and consider the preferences and motivations of people within energy systems, how can we adjust technological innovations to user preferences and motivations, and can we give people a more active role within energy systems and the decision making about energy systems?
In my work, I collaborate with various partners in the field, such as municipalities (e.g., Groningen, Wageningen), national governments (e.g., Ministry of Economic and Climate Affairs, Province of Groningen), energy companies (Enexis, Alliander), nature organizations (e.g., WWF, Groninger Landschap, Dutch Association of Zoos) and schools.
Supervisor of the following postdoctoral researchers:
dr. Zan Mlakar (NWO-NWA funded, Changeable project),
dr. Tara McGuicken (NWO-KIC funded, FlexECs project),
dr. Tabea Hoffmann (Netspar/NWO-KIC funded, Pension project),
<< vacancy opening 2027 (NWO-Vidi “Climate of Cynicism” >>
Supervisor of the following PhD students:
Luyang Zhao (funded by CSC Scholarship),
Fernanda Reintgen Kamphuis (funded by UG ReMa fund),
Charlie Walker Clarke (funded by NWO, FlexECs project),
Steph Johnson Zawadzki (funded by NWO, ERSAS project),
Luise Schlindwein (external PhD scholarship, TNO),
Philipp Eppe (external PhD scholarship, Bremen),
Bram Koeweiden (funded by ReGeNL).
<< vacancy opening late 2026 – NWO-Vidi “Climate of Cynicism” >>
Former postdoctoral researchers:
dr. Elliot Sharpe (NWO & ERA-Net funded, TOP-UP project),
dr. Lisa Novoradovskaya (NWO funded, TeSoPs project),
dr. Zan Mlakar (H2020 funded, CAPABLE project).
Former PhD students:
Catho Vermeulen (graduated 2026),
Marylise Schmid (graduated 2026),
Wang Xiao (graduated 2023),
Nieke Lemmen (graduated 2023),
Lu Liu (graduated 2022),
Mark Verschoor.
Keywords: Environmental Psychology, Values, group processes, misperceptions; often in the context of larger societal crises (e.g., climate change, COVID0-19) and transitions (e.g., energy transition).
Teaching: Coordinator Economic and Consumer Psychology (Bachelor, year 3), Master's thesis coordinator, Internship coordinator. Guest lectures and workshops on Environmental Psychology, Social Psycholog, Energy, for students and professionals.
Research interests: I am interested in personal and group factors that drive individuals’ responses to global crises, in particular climate change.
One research line I am currently working on focuses on personal and (perceived) group values. What values do individuals strongly endorse, what values do individuals perceive others to endorse, and how do such values influence individuals’ attitudes and behaviours?
Another line of research focuses on the interaction between individuals and technology, particularly within the energy domain. How can we better understand and consider the preferences and motivations of people within energy systems, how can we adjust technological innovations to user preferences and motivations, and can we give people a more active role within energy systems and the decision making about energy systems?
In my work, I collaborate with various partners in the field, such as municipalities (e.g., Groningen, Wageningen), national governments (e.g., Ministry of Economic and Climate Affairs, Province of Groningen), energy companies (Enexis, Alliander), nature organizations (e.g., WWF, Groninger Landschap, Dutch Association of Zoos) and schools.
Supervisor of the following postdoctoral researchers:
dr. Zan Mlakar (NWO-NWA funded, Changeable project),
dr. Tara McGuicken (NWO-KIC funded, FlexECs project),
dr. Tabea Hoffmann (Netspar/NWO-KIC funded, Pension project),
<< vacancy opening 2027 (NWO-Vidi “Climate of Cynicism” >>
Supervisor of the following PhD students:
Luyang Zhao (funded by CSC Scholarship),
Fernanda Reintgen Kamphuis (funded by UG ReMa fund),
Charlie Walker Clarke (funded by NWO, FlexECs project),
Steph Johnson Zawadzki (funded by NWO, ERSAS project),
Luise Schlindwein (external PhD scholarship, TNO),
Philipp Eppe (external PhD scholarship, Bremen),
Bram Koeweiden (funded by ReGeNL).
<< vacancy opening late 2026 – NWO-Vidi “Climate of Cynicism” >>
Former postdoctoral researchers:
dr. Elliot Sharpe (NWO & ERA-Net funded, TOP-UP project),
dr. Lisa Novoradovskaya (NWO funded, TeSoPs project),
dr. Zan Mlakar (H2020 funded, CAPABLE project).
Former PhD students:
Catho Vermeulen (graduated 2026),
Marylise Schmid (graduated 2026),
Wang Xiao (graduated 2023),
Nieke Lemmen (graduated 2023),
Lu Liu (graduated 2022),
Mark Verschoor.
Last modified:06 November 2026 07.34 a.m.