In this project, the team investigates the role of student emotions when they think about climate change. While some general associations between emotions such as hope and anxiety and environmental action-taking have been described in previous studies, much remains unclear about how these constructs interact. During 2025, Michiel van Harskamp (Faculty of Science), Andrik Becht (Faculty of Social and Behavioural Science) and Sander Thomaes (Faculty of Social and Behavioural Science) will combine both quantitative, large scale questionnaire data and qualitative classroom data to describe the general trends among 12-15 year olds and look for potential underlying mechanisms. This project was funded through UU research theme Dynamics of Youth’s Invigoration Grants, that requires use of existing datasets and joint forces of at least two of UU’s faculties. 

In December, at the end of the project, the team will organise a symposium where we share our findings and invite other speakers to present their associated work.

• prof. dr. Sander Thomaes
• dr. M. (Michiel) van Harskamp

• Saira Wahid MSc
• prof. dr. Sander Thomaes
• prof. dr. Susan Branje
• dr. Hend Eltanamly

• dr. Tim Favier

• Eco-Schools

Many young people are caught in a vicious circle between dystopian visions of the future, climate stress and a lack of perspective for action. In this project we want to break this circle and further develop a “pedagogy of hope” by implementing futuring techniques and a futuring serious game in the educational context of secondary geography education. We aim to create an educational environment that motivates students to think differently towards the now uncertain and frightening future of our planet and envision positive outcomes and stimulate students' efficacy to contribute to a more sustainable future. In addition, we want to investigate how eco-identity and pro-environmental attitudes among young people develop during these lessons. 

More information about this project can be found here: https://nwa-jeugd.nl/onderzoeken/klimaatstress-bij-scholieren-verminderen/

• dr. Tim Favier
• prof. dr. Karin Rebel

• Stichting Technotrend