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Wubbo Ockels School for Energy and ClimatePart of University of Groningen
Wubbo Ockels School for Energy and Climate
Together for a greener and fairer energy transition and climate adaptation
Wubbo Ockels School for Energy and Climate Calendar

Symposium: The roles of different actors in addressing societal challenges

When:Fr 08-05-2026 09:00 - 12:30Where:House of Connections, Grote Markt 21, Groningen
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Photo by Anna Shvets, from Pexels

Whose job is it to solve complex societal issues like climate change? Governments, businesses, organisations, and individuals all have a role to play. This symposium brings together experts from various disciplines to discuss the roles, actions, and expectations of different actors in tackling societal issues, as well as what motivates social change, and what may hold it back, at the individual, organisational, and societal levels.

The programme highlights recent empirical research from diverse contexts and reflects on how these insights can help develop solutions to societal challenges. Through talks, panel discussions, and networking over coffee and lunch, we hope to spark dialogues and new collaborations.

The symposium is organised by the Environmental Psychology Groningen group and the Wubbo Ockels School for Energy and Climate of the University of Groningen. 

We look forward to welcoming you! Registration is required. For questions, please contact wos@rug.nl.

Programme

08:45 – 09:00
Walk-in with coffee and tea
09:00 – 09:10
Welcome
09:10 – 09:25
Introduction by Xinran Wang
09:25 – 10:25
Session 1: How can different actors contribute to addressing societal issues
  • Lorraine Whitmarsh - Carbon capability: multiple roles and contexts for climate action

  • Maddie Judge – Local council staff’s perceptions of the role of councils and other actors in taking climate action

  • Jeffrey Lees – Pluralistic ignorance and support for organisational sustainability policies

10:25 – 10:45
Coffee Break
10:45 – 11:45
Session 2: What motivates or inhibits social change action across actors
  • Martijn van Zomeren – Psychological social contract in a polarized society

  • Jan Willem Bolderdijk – Lessons for social tipping from the phasing out of Black Pete in the Netherlands

  • Thijs Bouman - Misperceiving others' values: implications for sustainable transitions

11:45 – 12:30
Plenary discussion led by Linda Steg
12:30 onward
Lunch

For questions or cancel or to modify your registration, please contact WOS@rug.nl 

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