What drives people to take shared responsibility?
Calls for societal engagement often carry a moral appeal: they not only ask us to act, but to reflect on our values and the society we want to build鈥攖ogether. When do such appeals inspire, and when do they lead to disengagement or even resistance? In my work, I study how people take shared responsibility for societal challenges. Not because they have to, but because they want to.
I鈥檓 a social and organisational psychologist, currently working as a postdoctoral researcher within the Organisational Behaviour research group and the interdisciplinary research consortium . My research focuses on developing strategies for behavioural interventions that support collective engagement鈥攇rounded in intrinsic motivation, shared values, and mutual trust.
From motivation to impact
My work lies at the intersection of motivational psychology, shared responsibility, and societal change. My central question: how can people be enabled to take responsibility in ways that don鈥檛 feel like obligation or pressure, but that are meaningful and help drive change?
I focus on situations where responsibilities are not clearly assigned鈥攕uch as sustainability, inclusion, or social justice. Rather than steering people externally, I explore how to strengthen intrinsic motivation, a sense of belonging, and mutual trust. In doing so, I aim to contribute to a better understanding of how sustainable, inclusive, and resilient forms of cooperation can take shape.
What works in practice?
In my PhD research, I examined how societal commitment can become embedded within organisations. In collaboration with , I studied how over 200 organisations shaped, anchored, and strengthened their societal efforts.
What I found: societal commitment gains momentum when it is rooted in shared values, embedded in decision-making and organisational structures, and supported through a shared sense of responsibility. I now continue this line of inquiry in my postdoctoral research, exploring how these dynamics can be applied more broadly in societal contexts.
A practical guide for societal impact
How do we prevent societal ambitions from fading when priorities shift? And how can societal responsibility become part of everyday practice, rather than a side issue?
Based on my PhD research, I developed a compact pocket guide for societal impact鈥攆or anyone seeking to deepen, embed, and strengthen their societal commitment. The guide synthesises insights from research with over 200 organisations and offers practical tools: from recognising motivational profiles to embedding societal goals in policy, collaboration, and organisational culture.
The guide is intended for professionals, policymakers and interested citizens who want to work toward sustainable impact together.