Watch Jiaying in Action
About Jiaying Zhao
Jiaying Zhao, Ph.D. ("JA-ying JOW") is a behavioral scientist who studies why people fail to act on the problems they care about most, and what it takes to change that. "My vision is to create a world where we won't have environmental crises or poverty," she says.
Her work travels well beyond the lab. Zhao has worked with NASA, NOAA and the US and Canadian Forest Services to build pathways to net zero and zero waste, and has advised dozens of governments, NGOs and businesses, including the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the US Social and Behavioral Sciences Team, the UK Commonwealth Secretariat and the Privy Council Office of Canada. She has testified as an expert witness in the Canadian Parliament and meets weekly with senators and policymakers to inform public policy on climate change and poverty reduction.
Jiaying's Keynote Topics
Climate change continues to be an increasingly urgent threat to the well-being of the planet and humans alike. How can we better encourage individuals and organizations to participate in the fight against climate change that often feels demoralizing and hopeless? Find the joy in climate action, says Jiaying Zhao, Ph.D., behavioral scientist and University of British Columbia Behavioral Sustainability Lab principal investigator. Drawing from her popular “Happy Climate” workshop and upcoming book “Leave the Lights On: How Joyful Decisions Can Save Our Species” – co-authored with happiness researcher Elizabeth Dunn – Zhao outlines positive ways in which we can approach high-impact sustainability actions that can enhance well-being while protecting the planet. Audiences will leave with immediately applicable frameworks and tangible strategies to gain more confidence and competence for optimistically facing the challenges of climate change.
Everyone struggles with scarcity – the feeling of not having enough money, time, sleep, or friends. Scarcity drains brain power and saps productivity. What steps can be taken at the individual and community levels to help reduce the burdens – and cycle – of scarcity? According to behavioral scientist Jiaying Zhao, Ph.D., the first step is to address the cognitive tax of scarcity – the heavy psychological burden that it places on the human mind. The second step is to find ways to cut this cognitive tax. In this eye-opening presentation, she’ll draw on her years of on-the-ground research to explain how the stresses of scarcity overload our natural human limits of attention, memory and motivation. These stresses combine to suck up mental bandwidth, perpetuating the condition of scarcity. Audiences will leave with an understanding of how individuals experiencing scarcity can be empowered through both psychological strategies and better support from services including the banking industry and the housing sector.
Many understand that important societal issues such as climate change and poverty require action, but the challenge is getting decision makers, organizations, and governments to take concrete steps to help alleviate these issues. How can business, government, and non-profit leaders encourage action effectively and durably? According to behavioral scientist Jiaying Zhao, Ph.D., actions that help address some the world’s most pressing issues can be increased by understanding the thought processes that lead to behavior change. In this revealing presentation, she’ll provide research-backed insights into how to nudge constructive behavior change by altering decision friction. Audiences will leave with practical and impactful steps for leveraging nudge techniques that will promote beneficial behaviors while discouraging harmful ones.
Books by Jiaying Zhao
Articles by Jiaying Zhao
Jiaying in the Media
Climate Advice You’ve Never Heard
People Often Miscalculate Climate Choices, a Study Says. One Surprise Is Owning a Dog
How a Lottery-Style Refund System Could Boost Recycling
A Shot at $1,000 or a Guaranteed 10 Cents? UBC Study Suggests Choice Could Up Recycling Rates
Would You Recycle More If Every Bottle Gave You a Chance to Win $1,000?
Jiaying Zhao Helps People Enjoy Protecting the Planet
A Conversation With Dr. Jiaying Zhao, Associate Professor at UBC
How to Talk About Climate Change
How to Throw a Summer Party Without Plastic Waste
Your Fridge Is a Place Where Fresh Food Goes To Die. That Doesn't Have To Happen.
Psychology Month: Sustainable Happiness with Dr. Jiaying Zhao
Reducing Homelessness with Unconditional Cash Transfers
How Jiaying Works with Organizations
Each engagement is built around your goals and audience.
01 · WORKSHOPThe Joy of Climate Change
As climate change continues to become a greater concern by the day, many are feeling anxiety about the future and what they can do to help. In this highly interactive workshop, University of British Columbia psychology professor Jiaying Zhao, co-author of the forthcoming book “Leave the Lights On: How Joyful Decisions Can Save Our Species,” helps attendees identify specific, feasible changes they can make in their own lives to effectively address climate change while increasing their individual happiness. Although discussions of climate change often generate anxiety or guilt, this upbeat session will highlight how re-thinking the way we approach food, work, and travel can enhance well-being. After getting some shared knowledge on the table, Zhao invites attendees to work in small teams, serving as one another’s “carbon consultants” to identify the most feasible, impactful and emotionally rewarding changes each can make to support both sustainability and individual happiness.
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