SLU news

First episode of new podcast: Human-land

Published: 11 April 2021
Episode 1, Human-land

Human-land is a podcast supported by the Department of People and Society at SLU Alnarp, and produced by the SLU environmental psychology alumni network. We explore topics related to outdoor environments for health and wellbeing with experts in the field and apply an environmental psychology perspective to understand people and planetary health.

The Department of People and Society at SLU, Alnarp, are pleased to support the launch of a new podcast called Human-land produced by SLU alumni environmental psychology network.

Human-land explores topics related to outdoor environments for health and wellbeing with experts in the field and apply an environmental psychology perspective to understand people and planetary health. Each episode is peer reviewed with the aim of supporting wider awareness and education with regards to the environmental psychology field and its application in society.

The first series will explore how green and natural spaces can support resilient societies. To launch the series we are privileged to be joined in conversation for the first episode with leading Environmental psychologist, Professor Birgitta Gatersleben to explore ‘Finding Freedom in a pandemic?’ who has been leading research with Natural England at the University of Surrey on people and nature engagement in Covid-19.

Professor Birgitta Gatersleben

Birgitta shares her current research and the evidence for how and why people are interacting with nature during a pandemic. We explore the implications for an evolving theoretical understanding within the context of environmental psychology as well as hopes for the future in sustainability and wellbeing policy and planning of accessible green health infrastructure. You can listen to the first episode here:

Department director of studies, Mats Gyllin, hopes the podcast series will encourage more people to apply for studies in the field, particularly the SLU master's programme Outdoor Environments for Health and Well-being, and also that it might inspire planners, authorities, landowners and others to integrate principles of environmental psychology in public and private environments.

A new episode will be launched on a monthly basis for the forthcoming year. If anyone would like to suggest a topic, or would like to be part of the conversation, then please do get in touch with Hannah, Amanda, Robin and Sara through the alumni network: ohwalumn@slu.se.

Thank you to SLU alumni network for support with funding of the initiative, to Anna Litsmark for her support in the initial stages, Mats Gyllin for publishing the final edit and to Birgitta for making time to share her research for the first episode.