Description du sujet de thèse

Title: Physiological and behavioral study of the human-nature connection
Background: Despite an international consensus to better preserve nature, limit global warming and create a sustainable and equitable world, sustainability goals have so far not been achieved. The human-nature connection (HNC) - defined as the sense of belonging to the natural world - is a key societal trait relevant to achieving sustainability as it is positively linked to human health and pro-environmental behaviors (Barragan-Jason et al., 2021; Riechers et al., 2021). However, little is known about the physiological and behavioral mechanisms associated with CHN. The aim of this thesis will be to develop quantitative studies that combine different interventions and subjective and objective measures of well-being, nature experiences, pro-environment and CHN. This will enable us to better understand and predict the impact of global change on human values, norms and behaviors, and to be in a position to alter its trajectory by implementing concrete actions to maintain this connection over the long term.
Thesis objectives and tools: Characterize the physiological, cognitive and emotional mechanisms involved in the Human-Nature connection. We will characterize the socio-cognitive and physiological mechanisms involved in CHN. To do this, we will develop innovative multimodal collection and analysis tools to identify participants' emotional and cognitive responses (conductance, facial expressions, electroencephalography, eye-tracking), evoked by the presence of natural elements and the state of preservation of the environment (acoustic and visual biodiversity), in the laboratory (presentation of images and sounds) and in the wild (field validation via concomitant recording of environmental variables). These physiological markers will make it possible to understand the mechanisms involved in the human-nature connection, and to objectively assess the behavioral interventions put in place.
Expected results: Several innovative collection and analysis methods, involving the use of environmental sensors and analysis methods derived from artificial intelligence and multimodal analysis, will enable us to investigate the mechanisms common to cognitive and emotional empathy for humans and non-humans, and their links with CHN and sustainable values.

Missions: This project aims to develop methods for measuring the physiological and behavioral responses associated with the human-nature connection, and the influence of practices and the environment on its expression. The project is a collaboration between several laboratories (SETE, IRIT, CerCo) and will be supervised by Arnaud Delorme, Axel Carlier and Gladys Barragan-Jason. The PhD student will be based at SETE in Moulis.
Main activities:
-Collect and analyze physiological and behavioral data

-Set up a web platform for online data collection, analysis and visualization.

-Write scientific papers and present at national and international conferences.


Skills:
- Expertise in EEG signal analysis, conductance (EEGlab, Matlab, R) and mastery of geographic information tools (GIS), spatial statistics

- Good skills in mathematics, cognitive sciences and conservation.

- Proficiency in R, GIS, EEGlab

- Familiarity with literature on conservation, the human-nature connection, climate change and climate change adaptation

- Ability to communicate effectively in English and French

- Good communication skills are essential, as the results of this research are expected to be of interest to local and international stakeholders, including governments and NGOs.

- Experience in database management

- Research published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, mostly in English.

The successful candidate should have a Master's degree in cognitive science, ecology or conservation.

Contexte de travail

The candidate will join a stimulating intellectual environment at SETE, located at the foot of the Pyrenees (1h30 south of Toulouse). Work will be carried out in collaboration with an interdisciplinary consortium of collaborators.

SETE (Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale) is a UAR of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS). It is located in the Ariège region, in the commune of Moulis, around 100km south of Toulouse.
The Station works to develop new knowledge on biodiversity, ecosystems and their interaction with societies, to contribute to their long-term sustainability, using both theoretical and experimental approaches.

Contraintes et risques

No risk