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This thesis presents two original research articles examining the role of individuals with high socioeconomic status in addressing the issue of climate change. Across both projects, I aimed to highlight the scope of opportunities that individuals with high SES could have toward climate mitigation and identify where they themselves feel capable of addressing climate change. In Project 1, I explored the perceptions that individuals with high SES held towards climate mitigation through an online qualitative survey (N = 81), directing questions toward their role to address climate change in both their personal and professional lives. In Project 2, I took a closer look at their role as a consumer by conducting a mixed-methods investigation into their willingness to support voluntary action and policy to shift their high-carbon behaviours (N = 511). In the final part of this thesis, I brought together the findings of each paper to reflect on the ways individuals with high SES can be encouraged to utilise their financial and social assets to be a part of the transition toward a lower-carbon future. Overall, this body of work suggests that individuals with high SES have not yet recognised their full potential to address climate change. Yet, by emphasising pathways to engage in climate mitigation, both as consumers and beyond (i.e., role-models, organisational participants, and citizens), high status individuals can enact transformative societal change. In turn, this could afford others with opportunities to address climate change and maximise wellbeing for all within planetary boundaries.

The 'Public Engagement: Attitudes, Culture and Ethos' (PEACE) Report was commissioned by STFC’s Public Engagement Team. The report explores physical science researchers’ perceptions of the challenges and opportunities they face in the course of balancing engagement activities alongside other aspects of their careers. We collected and analysed quantitative and qualitative evidence through two linked but independent projects. Together, they: i) document evidence about how STFC’s funded community approaches, evaluates, supports, and rewards public engagement activity; ii) report how STFC’s key research departments or schools have responded to institutional engagement funding; and iii) offer reflections on the impact of these investments in changing research practice, reward and recognition, and demonstration of impact. The findings recognise that although there are a large number of people proactively engaging with members of the public, the academic culture is not always conducive to those who want to develop their expertise in this area. This review includes specific recommendations for STFC in terms of: developing their public engagement programme; cultivating ‘engagement-supportive’ cultures in the institutes it supports; and working alongside initiatives as part of the wider sector.

This thesis presents two original research articles examining the role of individuals with high socioeconomic status in addressing the issue of climate change. Across both projects, I aimed to highlight the scope of opportunities that individuals with high SES could have toward climate mitigation and identify where they themselves feel capable of addressing climate change. In Project 1, I explored the perceptions that individuals with high SES held towards climate mitigation through an online qualitative survey (N = 81), directing questions toward their role to address climate change in both their personal and professional lives. In Project 2, I took a closer look at their role as a consumer by conducting a mixed-methods investigation into their willingness to support voluntary action and policy to shift their high-carbon behaviours (N = 511). In the final part of this thesis, I brought together the findings of each paper to reflect on the ways individuals with high SES can be encouraged to utilise their financial and social assets to be a part of the transition toward a lower-carbon future. Overall, this body of work suggests that individuals with high SES have not yet recognised their full potential to address climate change. Yet, by emphasising pathways to engage in climate mitigation, both as consumers and beyond (i.e., role-models, organisational participants, and citizens), high status individuals can enact transformative societal change. In turn, this could afford others with opportunities to address climate change and maximise wellbeing for all within planetary boundaries.

This thesis presents two original research articles examining the role of individuals with high socioeconomic status in addressing the issue of climate change. Across both projects, I aimed to highlight the scope of opportunities that individuals with high SES could have toward climate mitigation and identify where they themselves feel capable of addressing climate change. In Project 1, I explored the perceptions that individuals with high SES held towards climate mitigation through an online qualitative survey (N = 81), directing questions toward their role to address climate change in both their personal and professional lives. In Project 2, I took a closer look at their role as a consumer by conducting a mixed-methods investigation into their willingness to support voluntary action and policy to shift their high-carbon behaviours (N = 511). In the final part of this thesis, I brought together the findings of each paper to reflect on the ways individuals with high SES can be encouraged to utilise their financial and social assets to be a part of the transition toward a lower-carbon future. Overall, this body of work suggests that individuals with high SES have not yet recognised their full potential to address climate change. Yet, by emphasising pathways to engage in climate mitigation, both as consumers and beyond (i.e., role-models, organisational participants, and citizens), high status individuals can enact transformative societal change. In turn, this could afford others with opportunities to address climate change and maximise wellbeing for all within planetary boundaries.

This thesis presents two original research articles examining the role of individuals with high socioeconomic status in addressing the issue of climate change. Across both projects, I aimed to highlight the scope of opportunities that individuals with high SES could have toward climate mitigation and identify where they themselves feel capable of addressing climate change. In Project 1, I explored the perceptions that individuals with high SES held towards climate mitigation through an online qualitative survey (N = 81), directing questions toward their role to address climate change in both their personal and professional lives. In Project 2, I took a closer look at their role as a consumer by conducting a mixed-methods investigation into their willingness to support voluntary action and policy to shift their high-carbon behaviours (N = 511). In the final part of this thesis, I brought together the findings of each paper to reflect on the ways individuals with high SES can be encouraged to utilise their financial and social assets to be a part of the transition toward a lower-carbon future. Overall, this body of work suggests that individuals with high SES have not yet recognised their full potential to address climate change. Yet, by emphasising pathways to engage in climate mitigation, both as consumers and beyond (i.e., role-models, organisational participants, and citizens), high status individuals can enact transformative societal change. In turn, this could afford others with opportunities to address climate change and maximise wellbeing for all within planetary boundaries.

This thesis presents two original research articles examining the role of individuals with high socioeconomic status in addressing the issue of climate change. Across both projects, I aimed to highlight the scope of opportunities that individuals with high SES could have toward climate mitigation and identify where they themselves feel capable of addressing climate change. In Project 1, I explored the perceptions that individuals with high SES held towards climate mitigation through an online qualitative survey (N = 81), directing questions toward their role to address climate change in both their personal and professional lives. In Project 2, I took a closer look at their role as a consumer by conducting a mixed-methods investigation into their willingness to support voluntary action and policy to shift their high-carbon behaviours (N = 511). In the final part of this thesis, I brought together the findings of each paper to reflect on the ways individuals with high SES can be encouraged to utilise their financial and social assets to be a part of the transition toward a lower-carbon future. Overall, this body of work suggests that individuals with high SES have not yet recognised their full potential to address climate change. Yet, by emphasising pathways to engage in climate mitigation, both as consumers and beyond (i.e., role-models, organisational participants, and citizens), high status individuals can enact transformative societal change. In turn, this could afford others with opportunities to address climate change and maximise wellbeing for all within planetary boundaries.