Gerdien de Vries is an Associate Professor of Climate Psychology at Delft University of Technology. For over 15 years, she has studied human behavior related to climate and energy technologies. Her work focuses on the psychological aspects of sustainability transitions, including behavior change, climate communication, and public acceptance of climate technology and policy. She is involved in multiple interdisciplinary and international research projects and has authored several influential articles in peer-reviewed journals, collaborating with PhD researchers and colleagues.
Beyond academia, Dr. de Vries is dedicated to education, teaching courses on environmental psychology and behavioral policy. She actively engages in public discourse and science communication, translating complex behavioral science concepts into actionable strategies for policymakers and the general public.
She regularly advises policymakers on incorporating behavioral insights into climate strategies on an ad hoc basis. Dr. de Vries is a long-time advisor for the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Energy Sector Behavioural Insights Platform, which brings together policymakers and experts to integrate behavioral insights into energy policy. Additionally, she contributes to the Municipality of Amsterdam’s Commissie Fysiek Domein, offering guidance on urban development and public space management.
At AMS Institute, Dr. de Vries contributes to research and innovation supporting energy and heat transitions, as well as climate adaptation, with a focus on behavioral aspects, not only citizen behavior but also the decision-making of policymakers and other stakeholders in and around cities. In this role, Dr. de Vries ensures that urban solutions are grounded not only in technical expertise but also in behavioral and societal understanding.