Dr. Lisa Nisbet, associate professor of psychology at Trent, studies how people’s sense of connection to nature influences their physical and mental health, as well as their sustainable behaviour. At the core of her research is a concept she developed called "nature relatedness," a self-report measure which captures individual differences in our relationship to the natural world, including cognitive aspects such as beliefs and a sense of identity, along with emotions, attitudes, and experiences in nature.
Much of her work involves lab studies conducted with the help of Trent undergraduate and graduate students who study how people vary in their connection to nature, how they respond to environmental stimuli, and how that influences their mood or behaviour. “The more somebody feels a connection with the natural world, the more that person will report having a greater sense of happiness - more positive (and fewer negative) emotions, a greater sense of vitality, as well as more satisfaction with life," says Dr. Nisbet.
It’s therefore no coincidence that much of Prof. Nisbet’s research intersects with environmental sustainability, for which Trent provides a living laboratory – not only because of its natural beauty and active outdoor community, but also because of its research on environmental health.
"Trent is a leader in environmental research, so I believe I'm adding an important piece to the puzzle, in understanding not only how the environment affects human health but also how the psychological aspects of our relationship with the natural world influence how we treat the planet," she says.
